There are 7 vertebrae in the neck. The only difference from the lumbar vertebrae in terms of their structure is that they are smaller. We call cartilage cushions between the vertebrae are available. The disease that occurs as a result of the rupture of this cartilage structure and the pressure on the nerves dispersed to the spinal cord or arm in the spine is called neck hernia. Initially, as a result of neck pain and compression of the arm and hand nerves, the patient has pain in the arm (brachialgia). If the cartilage torn over time presses on the nerves, weakness in the arm, and if it presses on the spinal cord itself, movement defects may occur in the whole body. In the very advanced stages of the disease, he becomes bedridden. Changes in neck can also put pressure on the blood vessels leading to the brain. In this case, complaints such as difficulty in perception, inability to focus, sleep disturbance, waking up tired in the morning, tinnitus, dizziness and visual impairment may occur.
Especially in recent years, with the increase in computer use, neck hernias have increased due to weakness in the neck muscles and wear on the vertebrae between the vertebrae as a result of the neck staying in the same position for a long time.
Treatment
Medication; It can be effective in cases where neck pain is more.
Physiotherapy; It may be effective in patients for whom drug therapy is not effective and who have moderate neck and arm pain and no weakness.
Surgical Treatment; Neck hernias are operated with microdiscectomy. The patient’s own bone (autograft), external cadaver bone (allograft), cage or disc prosthesis (to protect neck movements) can be placed in the disc distance.
Microdiscectomy is the process of removing the torn cartilage completely under the microscope. It has great advantages in terms of not having postoperative pain and restriction of movement, returning home and work in a short time, minimizing the risk of tissue damage, blood loss and infection due to surgery.
