Cervical Disc Prolapse

1)    When the content of the disc makes the outer edges of the disc stretch causing the disc to bulge.

2)    When the content of the disc escapes the outer edges of the disc causing it to rupture.

The discs in the neck are different to those in the rest of the spine so the second type of prolapse is rare.  Commonly the disc will bulge backwards into a space called the spinal canal.

• Severe pain in the neck, shoulder blade, down the arm.
• Pain on neck movements especially taking the head backwards or towards the affected side.
• Pain on maintained postures, eg: reading a book
• Changes in sensation in the arm
• Weakness in the arm can occur in mores severe cases

• Clinical examination looking at movement problems, postural disturbances and history of the presentation.
• Can be confirmed with MRI.

• Pain relief medication
• Relative rest from activities
• As pain reduces, treatment can begin to include manual therapy to gently mobilise any stiff portions of the neck
• Manual therapy to help reduce muscular pain
• Postural education to help return to work and activity
• In severe cases a corticosteroid injection (epidural) or surgical intervention may be required but most cases can be managed effectively without these.

• Rotator cuff strengthening
• Pec stretch
• etc

PHYSIO     X

MEDIC     X

PODIATRY