Understanding Cervical Disc Herniation and Its Surgical Treatment

A bulging disc occurs when the outer wall of the disc weakens but doesn’t rupture and “bulges” outward. A herniated disc may actually begin as a bulging disc whose outer wall is then ruptured by a great amount of pressure. Disc herniation can occur in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine, leading to a narrowing of the disc space, bulging of the contour of the disc, calcification of the disc and vertebral margins that result in spurs. Disc herniation and cervical spondylosis conditions are both considered degenerative processes – age-related changes of the spine that occur with aging and/or wear and tear.

A discectomy is a form of spinal decompression surgery to treat a herniated disc, sometimes referred to as a “slipped disc”. This condition, when it leads to compression of an exiting nerve, is known as radiculopathy. Cervical disc herniation is characterized by a bulge or rupture of the disc material into the spinal canal, which causes abnormal pressure on the nerve at that level, leading to symptoms mainly in the neck and one arm or hand.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common treatment for disc herniations, myelopathy, and other problems arising in the cervical spine. This procedure involves removing the damaged disc and fusing the adjacent vertebrae to stabilize the spine.

Patients with conditions of the spine are treated by specialized medical professionals, such as Dr. Daniel Hoh, at various reputable institutions. For more detailed information on herniated discs, their symptoms, and treatment options, you can visit the following resources: Columbia Neurosurgery, HSS Cervical Radiculopathy, HSS Discectomy, WUSTL Neurosurgery, UVA Neurosurgery, UConn Health Spine, HSS Herniated Disc, and HSS Spine Surgery. For further reading on the subject, the University of Florida’s UF Spine Team offers extensive insights into herniated disc removal procedures.