General Information About Cervical Disc Herniation
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the tearing of the outer structure of the discs located between the vertebrae in the neck region, and the jelly-like tissue inside popping out and putting pressure on the nerves going to the arms or the spinal cord.
The nerves exiting the cervical vertebrae extend all the way to the shoulders, arms, and fingertips. When a hernia crushes this nerve root in the neck, the pain is felt along the entire arm where the nerve extends.
Pain in the neck, shoulder, and shoulder blade, severe numbness and tingling radiating to the arm/hand, and in advanced stages, the inability to grip objects (loss of strength) with the hands.
The function of the nerves (reflexes and strength) is evaluated through a neurological examination. A definitive diagnosis and the size of the hernia are confirmed by taking a Cervical MRI.
No. Most hernias can shrink or become asymptomatic with medication, rest, and physical therapy. Surgery is only performed on patients with progressive loss of strength or those who do not respond to treatment for months.
Under a microscope, through a small incision in the front of the neck, the herniated tissue compressing the nerve is cleaned out. Usually, a special cage or prosthesis is placed in the emptied disc space. The recovery process is quite fast.
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