Plastic Discs

The cervical spine (neck) is composed of seven vertebrae. There are discs in-between the vertebrae, which act as cushions or shock absorbers between the vertebrae of the neck. Discs can become damaged either through trauma or degeneration, and cause pain, numbness, weakness, andor other symptoms, a condition typically referred to as degenerative disc disease, a sub-group of which includes cervical disc herniations. This means the disc becomes compressed, frayed, andor herniates into the central spinal cord or on the individual nerve roots that exit from the spinal canal at each vertebral level.
The standard initial treatment for symptomatic cervical disease involves conservative (non-surgical) methods, which may include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, coldheat therapy, and occasional spinal injection procedures. Above 90% of patients experience pain relief within 6-12 weeks. If the symptoms continue for more than this period, surgical treatment can be considered.