The cervical spine consists of the top seven bones of the spine, called vertebrae, located in your neck or the area between your skull and chest. Discs that act as shock absorbers and keep the spine flexible cushion the vertebrae that form the spine.
Over time as we age, discs can lose elasticity and ligaments around the discs can become brittle. When damaged, discs may bulge or rupture and cause what’s called a herniated or slipped disc. Most herniated discs occur either in the cervical area or lower back called the lumbar spine.
What to Look For
When a herniated disc occurs, it puts pressure on spinal nerves or the spinal cord. The first symptom is usually neck pain.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain moving your head and neck, especially turning to the side of the herniated disc
- Pain in your shoulder or arms
Numbness, tingling or weakness in your shoulder or arms
Tests
Initial diagnosis of cervical disc herniation generally is based on the symptoms of arms, shoulders and neck. Your doctor will examine your sensation, reflexes, gait and strength
- X-ray
- CT scans
- MRI
- Nerve Injections (usually guided by x-ray to confirm correct placement)
Treatment
Conservative treatment for cervical disc herniation includes:
- Rest
- Cervical collar or neck brace
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Steroid medication
- Physical therapy that may include cervical traction
About 10 percent of cervical herniation patients require surgery. Surgical procedures are available depending on the severity of herniation. They include:
- Removal of the herniated part of the disc.
Anterior cervical decompression and fusion in which the disc is removed and the vertebrae are fused together by means of a dowel bone graft, which comes from cadaver bone, between the vertebrae.
You may be a suitable candidate for artificial disc replacement
