Herniated discs in the neck can be an uncomfortable issue to anyone. Over the long-term, they can become quite serious and lead to a number of dangerous complications. Although these complications may start as simple inconveniences, if left untreated, they may lead to far more disastrous results. In this article, we discuss the following:
- Chronic Pain
- Nerve Damage
- Muscle Weakness and Atrophy
- Reduced Mobility and Function
- Headaches
- Degenerative Changes
- Severe Neurological Complications
We also look at:
- Impact on Overall Quality of Life
- Treatment Options to Prevent Long-Term Effects
- Actionable Advice
Let’s get into it.
1. Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is one of the first issues that may develop. It often begins with persistent neck pain (i.e. neck pain that doesn’t dissipate over time, and which can impact quality of life and other things).
As the condition develops, pain often starts to radiate throughout the upper body. That means that pain that starts in the neck can spread to first the shoulders, then the arms, and finally the hands.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat such things. We’ll go into it in more detail below, but this article in Springer Nature suggests that complementary and alternative forms of medicine can “achieve favorable results in pain and functional improvement.1”
2. Degenerative Changes
If the herniated discs in a patient’s neck are not treated the condition can worsen and lead to a number of degenerative changes.
- Spondylosis: this a broad term that covers a range of age-related issues that develop from wear and tear over time.
- Stenosis: this refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal, potentially leading to compression of the spinal cord.
- Increased risk of Instability in the Cervical Spine: this is caused by weakening of ligaments in the cervical spine which, in turn, leads to increased and undesired movement between the vertebrae.
Prevent any of this from happening by visiting our herniated disc chiropractor.
3. Nerve Damage
Herniated discs in the neck can also cause nerve damage. This happens because the disc bulges or ruptures and extrudes out of one side near a nerve. When the bulge presses against the nerve it can compress it and cause damage.
Indications of such include a loss of sensation, or sometimes a numbness or tingling sensation, in the arms and hands. If treated promptly, these can be dealt with. However, failure to act may lead to permanent nerve-related deficits. Basically, the numbness and tingling may become permanent attributes of an individual’s upper limbs.
For more detail on cervical radiculopathy self-care, here is an article on the subject. Readers may also find this systematic review of the literature posted on Science Direct to be of use. It found that most patients can recover in several months, although some may require a full three years.2
4. Muscle Weakness and Atrophy
Another result of herniated discs in the neck is muscle weakness. This happens because muscles that are not being properly stimulated, because their nerve inputs are being compressed and interrupted with, will begin to atrophy.
The result is reduced strength in the upper body muscles. This can lead to difficulty in lifting objects or even just gripping them.
5. Reduced Mobility and Function
Herniated discs in the neck can also lead to reduced mobility and the normal functioning of the neck. As the condition worsens, the neck can become progressively more stiff. This can turn even simple and routine tasks, like driving or working, into challenging endeavors.
6. Headaches
Muscle strain and nerve compression caused by the herniated discs in the neck can lead to chronic headaches. These, particularly when caused by nerve compression, can become seriously debilitating, if left untreated over time.
7. Severe Neurological Complications
Some of the more severe complications of this condition include what is called saddle anesthesia. This is a loss of sensation in the groin and pelvic areas. It is caused by significant compression of the spinal cord. Similarly, bladder and bowel dysfunction can also occur – although those are particularly rare.
8. Impact on Overall Quality of Life
In general, as the herniated discs in the neck worsen, the impact on the individual’s quality of life will also worsen. This condition can lead to disruptions in sleep caused by pain which, in turn, can lead to chronic fatigue. Additionally, emotional stress and psychological issues like anxiety and depression can also develop. These are the natural result of impaired physical abilities and the individual’s overall sense of wellbeing or the lack thereof.
9. Treatment Options to Prevent Long-Term Effects
As with virtually any medical condition, the earlier it is treated, the better off the patient will be. Another rule of thumb is that, whenever possible, conservative non-surgical methods are preferred over heavy-hitting or invasive methods like surgery or narcotics. In light of that, here are a few options to prevent long-term effects of this condition.
- Non-Surgical
- Physical therapy: This helps build and retain strength and mobility
- Medications: These may be prescribed or simpler OTC drugs. They are often used to manage pain and keep inflammation in check.
- Ergonomics: The goal here is to help with posture correction and limit its degradation from poor movement habits.
- Surgical
- Discectomy/Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement: These types of procedures are used to surgically correct the condition and restore mobility and functionality.
- Spinal Fusion: This is used to prevent the onset of spinal instability in the neck.
Again, the best treatment is early treatment. The idea behind conservative care is to set up a medical regimen to manage the condition to stave off the worst effects for the longest period of time. The sooner the condition is caught and treated, the better the prognosis, and the better chance of reversing the condition, or at least halting its progress.
Of course, sometimes surgery will be required. Although a study in Spine did not find unequivocal evidence for the support of any one surgical procedure over any other,3 it still remains the last resort for treatment.
10. Actionable Advice
If an individual suffers any of the tell-tale symptoms mentioned above, it is a good idea to seek out medical assistance. In the case of herniated discs in the neck, the most appropriate would be a spine-specialist such as a chiropractor.
Further, as noted above, don’t delay. Seek out early treatment to prevent the condition from worsening and, with some effort, maintain the functionality that is still present. And, with luck, perhaps reverse some of the harm done.
