When people talk about a herniated disc, they usually think of affected areas in the lower back, the lumbar region. In fact, this is where most herniated discs occur. Herniated discs in the cervical spine are less common. These can sometimes be very dangerous.

How can the cervical spine be damaged?

Injuries to the cervical spine can occur due to incorrect posture and the resulting constantly tense neck muscles. The fascia may have hardened or stuck together. Wear and tear and the resulting loss of elasticity also play a role here.

Constant and incorrect strain are also responsible, for example lying or sitting incorrectly. Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine can also cause damage. Changes in cartilage and bones are another reason, as is wear and tear on vertebral joints. Ultimately, a herniated disc can also be the cause of symptoms.

What can cause a herniated disc in the cervical vertebrae?

Triggers are usually very diverse. Contrary to popular belief, there is no “one” cause. The fact that a herniated disc occurs is very often a multifactorial event. Such as:

• Wrong move
• overload
• incorrect loading
• Family-heavy
• Genetically
• diet related
• smoking, etc

What is meant by cervical spine syndrome?

Cervical spine syndrome primarily affects the cervical spine, arms and shoulders. The symptoms begin with tension and pain, as well as a limitation of mobility in this area. Cervical spine syndrome can occur acutely or be chronic.

What symptoms can you use to determine whether you have a herniated cervical disc?

Symptoms include headaches and dizziness, but also tension and chronic neck pain. The shoulder can also be affected. There is sometimes numbness and/or tingling in the fingers.

When does a herniated disc in the cervical spine have to be operated on?

First of all, the cervical spine syndrome is treated conservatively, i.e. with pain therapy, physical therapy or physiotherapy. Surgery is required when the pain and disorder can no longer be managed conservatively. This is the case, for example, when tingling and sensory disturbances in the hands, stiffness or movement disorders occur. The patient should then definitely consult a specialist to clarify the exact cause.

How complicated and risky is such an operation?

Cervical spine surgery performed on the neck can injure the nerve roots or spinal cord. If the nerve is injured, sensory and movement disorders can occur. Paraplegic symptoms have been described, but are extremely rare (0.001/1000 cases). Never at the apex spine center!

What special surgical procedure has the Apex-Spine Spine Center developed and perfected?

The Apex-Spine Spine Center has further developed the endoscopic, minimally invasive operation of the intervertebral disc. Here, the intervertebral disc is not completely removed and replacement with prostheses is used. Rather, the patient receives a local anesthetic so that only the actual herniated disc is removed.

This maintains the stability of the cervical spine and the mobility of the patient. This operation is the counterpart to the operation for a herniated disc in the lumbar region. There, too, only the herniated disc is removed. The rest of the intervertebral disc remains intact and is not replaced by a prosthesis, which often leads to local stiffening.

Why is the Apex-Spine spine center in Munich the perfect contact, both for a professional diagnosis and for any necessary treatment?

The entire team at the Apex-Spine spine center in Munich are extremely experienced, internationally recognized experts who have the necessary know-how in both the area of cervical spine syndrome and herniated discs in the cervical spine and can diagnose and treat patients as needed. The team is made up of specialists, some with decades of international experience and specialization, who, after the examination and diagnosis, can offer each patient gentle and precise treatment according to their individual requirements.