Diagnosis

Imaging techniques must be used to detect a cervical spine disc protrusion and to distinguish it from a herniated disc in the cervical spine. The differentiation is very important due to the different therapeutic approaches. While surgery must be considered in the case of a herniated disc of the cervical spine, it should be avoided in the case of a protrusion.

In order to be able to clearly identify the disc, a magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine (MRI of the cervical spine) or a computer tomography (CT of the cervical spine) should be performed. Here, not only the bones can be recognized, but also other structures, i.e. the nucleus and the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc. The MRI of the cervical spine has proven to be particularly valuable in diagnostics.

The treatment of a disc protrusion is similar to that of a herniated disc of the cervical spine. First, the acute pain should be suppressed by the administration of painkilling medication. In the course of the disease, heat and ointments that relax the muscles often prove to be pain-relieving.

However, it is not enough to treat only the acute pain condition. A long-term treatment to reduce the disc protrusion and to prevent its recurrence should be aimed for. This can be achieved by regular exercise to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles.

If a certain stability is guaranteed, the load on the intervertebral discs can be reduced. Sports such as Nordic walking, hiking and swimming are particularly suitable for this. Gymnastics, yoga and Pilates are also very suitable for prevention.

In addition, regular visits to the gym help to strengthen the muscles and are recommended in the long term. Physiotherapy is necessary at the beginning, and exercises are also learned that should be done regularly at home. Activities that are stressful for the cervical spine should be avoided if possible.

If you sit at the computer for long periods of time at work, you should pay attention to your head and back posture and correct it if necessary. Heavy physical work and heavy lifting should also be avoided. Surgical therapy is usually not carried out, as in most cases the protrusion is reduced by specific exercises and the patient is free of complaints.

However, if the disc presses on a nerve and thus causes severe pain or restrictions, surgery should be considered as a possible therapy. Disc protrusions, also known as disc protrusions, are caused by wear and tear of the spine, but also by severe physical strain over a longer period of time. If a disc protrusion occurs, there are some exercises that can help to alleviate the symptoms and should ensure that the disc does not protrude any further.

An essential exercise is the stretching. For example, you should walk on your tiptoes in a room and stretch your arms to the ceiling with the aim of reaching the ceiling with your fingers. The movement should be done in a bouncing and springy manner and always try to get as far as possible.

If pain occurs, the extension should be reduced. It is important to keep the head directed forward and not to look at the ceiling. Another exercise that also causes stretching is to lie horizontally on a rubber ball.

The arms should be on the floor like a push-up, the ball should touch the body at thigh level. Then you must move carefully back and forth. This also leads to a gentle stretching of the vertebral bodies of the cervical spine.

In addition to stretching exercises, attention should also always be paid in parallel to training the muscles that run past the spine. There are also numerous Pilates exercises that aim to train the back muscles. If there is a disc protrusion in the area of the cervical spine, the movements that can be performed should be paid close attention.

There are sports that are very pain-relieving for herniated discs and also prophylactically ensure that the disc does not slip out any further. Sports that have a slightly stretching component can be performed without any problems. These include, for example, backstroke swimming, Nordic walking and inline skating or cross-country skiing.

Sports that do not involve rapid changes of movement are also good. However, there are also sports where there is a high risk of the intervertebral disc slipping out even further. Rapid twisting and/or stopping movements ensure that large forces are exerted on the intervertebral disc and there is a risk of further deterioration of the findings and symptoms. Sports that compress the spine and could unnecessarily pull or twist it should therefore be avoided. These include bowling and skittles, tennis, table tennis, squash, all sports involving weights, badminton, gymnastics and weightlifting.