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Collapsed Disc in the Neck

A collapsed disc in the neck can be a potentially painful condition. It can result in localized pain, pain radiating the length of a nerve into the upper extremities, sensations of numbness and/or tingling, and muscle weakness. If your doctor has diagnosed this condition as the cause of your symptoms, you'll likely be interested in finding out how to treat it. But, it can also be valuable to educate yourself on the specifics of this degenerative spine condition, as well as its causes.

What is a Collapsed Disc, and What Causes It?

A collapsed disc – a term also used synonymously with a "herniated" or "bulging" disc – occurs when an intervertebral disc loses water content over the years as part of the natural aging process. This causes the disc to lose height and become brittle, which can result in inner disc material extruding into the spinal canal (a herniated disc), or bone-on-bone contact between the connected vertebrae, which can result in bone spurs. Either of these conditions can result in nerve compression, also known as a “pinched” nerve. This pressure on a nerve is the true cause of the symptoms of a collapsed disc, not the collapsed disc itself.

Treatment Options

If your collapsed disc is causing pain and other symptoms in your neck, shoulders, and arms, your doctor will likely suggest you begin a treatment program consisting of any of a variety of conservative, nonsurgical methods. These can include pain medications, physical therapy, hot/cold therapy, chiropractics, and more, and the good news is that these treatments are often very effective in managing symptoms.

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However, some individuals simply can't find pain relief through conservative treatments, and instead turn to surgery. If you've failed to ease your pain after weeks or months of conservative treatment, contact Laser Spine Institute today to learn more about our?advanced endoscopic procedures that are?a safe and effective?alternative to open back surgery.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.