Cervical Bulging Disc
A bulging disc in the neck occurs when the outer walls of a disc in the cervical (upper) spine become weak and bulge outward between the vertebrae. It is not necessarily a sign of a serious spine problem.
A bulging disc can occur in both young adults and older people. It is often considered a normal part of the aging process, caused by wear and tear and degeneration of the intervertebral disc. It may also occur as a result of a sudden fall or trauma or from repetitive stress injuries.
In most cases, a bulging disc produces no symptoms.
If, however, the bulge presses on surrounding nerves or tissues, it may cause these symptoms:
- Pain in the neck
- Numbness or tingling
- Deep pain near or over the shoulder blade
- Difficulty moving the head and neck
- Pain that radiates to the upper arm, forearm, and possibly the fingers
The cervical spine specialists at Lancaster Orthopedic Group provide advanced diagnostic procedures and expert treatment for bulging discs and many other spinal injuries and conditions.
Treatment of a cervical bulging disc will depend on your symptoms. In mild cases, your physician will typically recommend rest, ice, anti-inflammatory or pain medications, and physical therapy. If, after several weeks or month, the symptoms persist, further treatment may be required. Most patients with a cervical bulging disc do not need surgery.
