Table of Contents
What is a small disc protrusion?
Disc protrusion occurs when the gelatinous disc material protrudes focally into tears or fissures within the intact annular shell, causing a focal outpouching of the still intact annular fibers.
What nerves are affected by C3 and C4?
Branches of the C3, C4, and C5 spinal nerves form the phrenic nerve that innervates the diaphragm, enabling breathing. Within the spinal canal of each of these motion segments, the spinal cord is protected by the vertebral bodies in front and vertebral arches at the back.
What are the symptoms of a C3 C4 disc herniation?
Numbness or tingling in a shoulder or arm that may go down to your fingers….Symptoms
- Stumbling or awkward walking.
- Tingling or a shock-like feeling running down your body into your legs.
- Problems using your hands and arms for fine motor skills.
- Loss of balance and coordination.
How do you treat a disc protrusion?
Lumbar herniated disc treatments
- Physical therapy, exercise and gentle stretching to help relieve pressure on the nerve root.
- Ice and heat therapy for pain relief.
- Manipulation (such as chiropractic manipulation)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or COX-2 inhibitors for pain relief.
How is disc protrusion treated?
Treatment
- Over-the-counter pain medications. If your pain is mild to moderate, your doctor might recommend over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
- Cortisone injections.
- Muscle relaxers.
- Opioids.
What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve at C4?
C4-C5 Pinched Nerve: The C5 nerve root is responsible for the deltoid muscle which sits on top of the shoulder, outside of the upper arm. A pinched nerve at the C4-5 level would cause shoulder pain and possibly weakness of the deltoid muscle.
What causes disc protrusion?
Disc protrusion is often associated with a herniated disc and bulging disc, because they are both forms of protruding discs. Disc protrusion is most often caused by the natural degeneration process of the spine.
What causes cervical disc protrusion?
The most common cause of a cervical herniated nucleus pulposus is gradual degeneration of the disc, attenuation (weakening) of the posterior annulus fibrosis, and subsequent protrusion of the nucleus pulposus into the spinal canal causing compression of the nerve root. Sometimes the disc injury occurs suddenly because of an accident or trauma.
What is treatment for lumbar disc protrusion?
Massage therapy is a common alternative treatment for both disc protrusion and extrusion. Epidural steroid injections may be used to treat disc protrusions and extrusions. Sometimes caused by disc protrusion, sciatica can lead to pain and numbness down the leg. An extruded disc commonly occurs in the lower or lumbar spine.
What does paracentral disc protrusion mean?
Paracentral disc protrusion is a type of degenerative disc disease that results in chronic neck or back pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. This condition occurs with the natural degeneration of the spine, which causes pressure to be pushed down on the vertebrae and discs in the spine.