Tag: cervical spine

Have you ever heard someone complaining of pain from a “slipped disc?”  If so, they are referring to a herniated disc.  Discs can bulge when they lose water content, making the disc flatter with less cushioning.  When a disc becomes too weak and begins to bulge, it puts pressure on the surrounding nerves. This pressure can cause nerve pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. Herniated discs can occur in the cervical spine (neck) or in the lumbar spine (lower back).  Today, I will share my experience with patients who have a herniated disc in the cervical spine. This condition can occur …

I have treated numerous patients suffering from neck fractures, and each injury is different from the next. A neck fracture can happen for many different reasons. Common causes include falls, collisions, diving into shallow water, sudden twists to the neck or severe blows to the head and neck area. The first thing I do with an injured patient is assess the severity of the injury. Is it associated with dislocation or instability? Which cervical bones are broken? Is there a spinal cord or nerve injury? This information helps me determine the best option for treatment. Common treatment options include immobilization, …