Does Neck Hernia Paralyze?

Many of our patients, who were told, "Oh, you're paralyzed, you need to have an operation urgently" are treated with non-surgical methods with our experience and lived comfortably and without problems for 10 years. Does neck hernia paralyze? The question is always among the questions that patients face and cause frightening concerns. In our article, we will try to answer your questions. How should we approach the neck hernia in reality? What is the risk of paralysis? Do you really need to have an operation? 

What Causes Neck Hernia?

If we exclude accidental fall and crashes, the most common cause of neck hernia is stress and abnormal position. What we mean by abnormal position; we mean working at the computer all the time, doing business with the neck forward or up. These are the risks posed by constantly looking at the cell phone, now called techno-neck. Genetic predisposition should never be excluded and should be considered as a predisposing factor.

Neck hernia: As in the lower back, the cushions (discs) between the neck vertebrae bubble and press on the nerves going to the arms. It is usually a one-sided event. Clinical symptoms are seen not only by the mechanical pressure of the hernia, but also by the irritant chemicals secreted from the disc, causing edema in the nerves and swelling of the nerve.

What are the Symptoms of Neck Hernia?

Patients most commonly experience pain problems. These pains are called reflected pains and they are pains that hit the arm, shoulder, around the shoulder blade or chest area on the side of the hernia, and rarely towards the head. Neck hernia pain is evaluated as a neuropathic pain: it is stabbing, electric shock, and sometimes burning pain. Numbness, pins and needles and tingling sensations are frequently encountered in the same areas. In cases where the hernia is fresh and new, the pain is so severe that patients cannot lie down and do not know where to put their arms. Pain-related problems such as inability to work and stay still; It impairs the quality of life, causes loss of workforce and disruptions in intellectual activities.

Will I be Paralyzed?

Among the most frequently asked questions is the question "Will I be paralyzed if I don't undergo surgery for neck hernia?". In the medical literature, only 1% of neck hernias are surgical. Unfortunately, the suggestion that you will be paralyzed in every neck hernia and you should have an emergency surgery has become a habit, and this has caused anxiety and fear in patients. The disturbed psychology of frightened patients also triggers other problems. Personally, I have not come across a patient who was paralyzed from neck hernia. However, we rarely come across patients with paralysis who have undergone surgery and have serious problems.

Neck Hernia Treatment Map

Even if you do not receive any treatment, you should know that the hernia can heal on its own within 4-6 weeks.

Remember that 95-99% of neck hernia can be healed with non-surgical methods.

If you are not getting relief despite the medications given to you and the physical therapy you receive, you should go to a pain specialist. They may send you to surgery if your situation requires it.

Never have surgery unless you have progressive neurological deficits. Consult with another doctor without panicking, not your doctor who recommended the first surgery for neck hernia.

There is no surgery for pain. Having pain cannot be a reason for surgery.

What are Non-Surgical Methods?

These methods, which are applied in absolutely sterile conditions and accompanied by imaging devices, take a very short time and the patient can go home without any problems after the procedure. Applications range from 5 to 30 minutes. There are many techniques in which neck hernia is resolved without surgery. Which technique will be applied depends on the decision of the specialist as a result of the examination and evaluation of the MRIs. It is vital that these techniques are performed by an experienced physician. The prominent and well-received applications are:

Epidural injection: It is a technique in which ozone, cortisone, painkillers and serum are added.

Discolysis: It is the ozone injection made directly into the hernia. Very efficient.

LASER Nucleoplasty: The technique of melting and reducing the hernia by entering the hernia. This is an application that gives very good results for hernias that have existed for a long time.

Our opinion about the frequently asked hydrodiscectomy method is as follows: It is a method that we abandoned about 10 years ago because it does not give the desired results and is an expensive technique. Laser nucleoplasty technique has a clear advantage over this method.