Cervical Herniated Disc

A cervical herniated disc is diagnosed when the inner core of a disc in the neck herniates, or leaks out of the disc, and presses on an adjacent nerve root. This can be caused from an injury or can start spontaneously.

The pain from a cervical herniated disc is caused by the herniated disc material pressing (or pinching) on a cervical nerve. This causes pain to radiate along the nerve pathway down the arm. Along with arm pain, numbness and tingling can be present down the arm and into the fingertips. This may also cause muscle weakness. Even a small disc herniation can impinge on the nerve and cause severe pain and is most painful when the nerve first becomes pinched.

Treatments

Treatment is to help relieve pain and other symptoms resulting from the herniated disc. Each patient’s treatment plan is individualized based on the source, severity and symptoms of the pain.

Patients begin with conservative care (non-surgical) before considering spine surgery for a herniated disc. However early surgical intervention for some patients is beneficial to stop any neurological progression. In these situations, without surgical intervention, nerve damage can be permanent.

Conservative Treatments

• Medications

• Physical therapy

• Manipulations

• Change of body mechanics

Surgical Treatments