Cervical disc herniation caused by frequently bending the head.

Ho Chi Minh City – Ms. Ha, 37 years old, a beauty care employee, experienced neck pain radiating down her right arm. Doctors diagnosed her with cervical disc herniation caused by frequently bending her head down.

On January 15th, Dr. Vu Duc Thang, from the Spine Department of Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that Ms. Ha suffered from a herniated disc in the C5-C6 cervical spine (at the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae), with the herniated mass compressing the right C6 nerve.

Cervical disc herniation is a condition where one or more discs between the cervical vertebrae are damaged, causing the nucleus pulposus to protrude from its original position, compressing the spinal cord and nerves within the spinal canal. This condition is common among drivers, teachers, office workers, and people who habitually work in a fixed head-down position for extended periods, such as Ms. Ha, who often works with her head bent forward.

The patient's condition did not improve after more than 4 weeks of medical treatment, and the symptoms worsened, so surgery was necessary.

Location of the cervical vertebra herniation in the patient. Photo: Provided by the hospital .

According to Dr. Thang, artificial disc replacement surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, requiring only a small incision in the neck, ensuring aesthetic appeal. Typically, the doctor uses screws to fix and stabilize the herniated discs. However, this procedure results in a loss of approximately 5-10% of the patient's range of motion.

"The patient is young, the cervical spondylosis is not yet severe, and the spine is still stable. Replacing the disc with a fixed replacement would reduce the range of motion, which would be very unfortunate," said Dr. Thang.

Ms. Ha underwent dynamic disc replacement surgery, ensuring that the range of motion of her cervical spine was not affected. Dynamic discs are devices made from a titanium alloy, which has high compatibility with the cervical vertebrae. Performing dynamic disc replacement requires a specialized surgeon and modern equipment such as a surgical microscope and high-speed drills.

After surgery, patients recover faster, without needing to wait 4-6 weeks for bone healing. The dynamic disc helps reduce the risk of disc herniation at adjacent levels.

On the first day after surgery, Ms. Ha was able to move her neck almost normally. Her health recovered well, and her hospital stay and treatment lasted three days.

Doctor Thang (far left) during a disc replacement surgery. (Illustrative photo: Provided by the hospital)

Dr. Thang stated that 90% of cervical disc herniation cases can be well controlled with medication or physical therapy. However, in some individuals, the condition progresses rapidly, does not respond to conservative treatment, and requires surgery. The goal of treatment is to decompress the compressed nerve roots and/or spinal cord, and remove damaged discs. This helps reduce pain and prevent tingling and numbness in the arm.

If left untreated, the disease can lead to many dangerous complications such as spinal stenosis, spinal cord compression syndrome, cerebral ischemia, and lifelong disability.

Patients should see a doctor if they experience pain or numbness in the neck that radiates to the shoulders and arms, especially if they habitually bend their heads down for long periods while working, frequently use their phones, or use pillows that are too high when sleeping.

Phi Hong

* The patient's name has been changed.

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