Cervical Disc Herniation

What you need to know

A common problem that can produce pain, numbness or weakness down the arm to the fingers. The disc is the material between the two bones that acts as a cushion and shock absorber which also allows for neck motion. Sometimes the discs weaken and wear out. A tear can be produced in the periphery of the disc (annulus) which allows for the material within the disc to rupture and squeeze out. This material can then put pressure on the nerves and the spinal cord, which can lead to arm pain.

The nerves in the neck also control muscle strength and sensation and in severe cases, the herniation will lead to numbness and weakness of the arm. The imaging test of choice is a MRI which can directly assess the location and severity of the herniation within the spinal canal.

Most patients do not need urgent surgery and try numerous non operative treatments to resolve the pain. These include anti-inflammatories, nerve pain pills, muscle relaxants, rest and physical therapy. If these options fail, an epidural steroid injection can be performed to provide relief.

If conservative treatments fail, there are several surgical solutions that can be performed. These include removal of the disc herniation to take the pressure of the nerves and spinal cord, which is commonly either a fusion procedure or a disc replacement.