Cervical Herniated Disc Symptoms and Treatment Options

If you suffer from chronic neck pain, the source of your discomfort may be a herniated cervical disc. Here, we'll discuss cervical herniated disc symptoms, the causes and the treatment options available to correct this condition.

A cervical herniated disc is a common spine condition that can lead to neck pain, arm pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Symptoms can range from mild to debilitating, depending on the severity of nerve compression and the location of the disc herniation.

What Is a Vertebral Disc?

Vertebral discs are found in between the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae. They play a vital role in protecting the bones from injury, providing cushion and support, allowing flexibility, and helping to disperse the load placed on vertebral bodies.

In the cervical spine, these discs also help support the weight and movement of the head while protecting nearby nerves and the spinal cord.

The discs are composed of a tough, fibrous outer ring, called the annulus fibrosus, and a softer inner core, known as the nucleus pulposus.

In cervical discs, the collagen fibers of the outer ring help distribute the weight of the head, while the gel-like inner core acts as a shock absorber, protecting against compressive trauma to the vertebrae.

Why Do Cervical Discs Herniate?

Disc herniation can result from natural, degenerative changes that take place as we age. It can also occur secondary to traumatic injury.

When a cervical disc herniates, the inner core may protrude or leak through the outer ring.

The disc can leak fluid, which places pressure on surrounding nerves, causing the symptoms we typically associate with herniation: numbness and tingling down the arms, pain, and loss of function.

Taken together, these symptoms constitute a condition called cervical radiculopathy.

Cervical radiculopathy is one of the most common clinical presentations of a cervical herniated disc and often explains why symptoms extend beyond the neck into the shoulders, arms, and hands.

How Do Doctors Diagnose a Cervical Herniated Disc?

There are several diagnostic imaging tests your doctor can perform to determine if you are suffering from a cervical herniated disc. They include:

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred diagnostic test for disc herniation. MRI uses high-powered magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to obtain detailed images of soft tissue, bones, and organs, and can capture potentially damaged nerve ends associated with herniation.

MRI is especially valuable for identifying nerve compression, disc degeneration, and spinal cord involvement.

CT with myelogram:

Computerized tomography (CT), combined with a myelogram, is another type of detailed imaging. A dye is injected into the affected area, highlighting the damaged nerve root, and recorded via the CT scan.

This test poses an added risk, because the dye must be injected into the spinal canal. It is also more expensive.

Are There Conservative Treatments for Cervical Herniated Disc?

Several conservative treatments for cervical herniation can be undertaken before considering a surgical option. These include:

Pain management, steroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs, which can alleviate the discomfort while reducing inflammation of the affected nerve

Traction, in which a cervical device is used to alleviate pressure on the affected nerve by applying upward pressure to the neck

Physical therapy, during which a licensed therapist instructs the patient in exercises to alleviate arm pain and strengthen muscles; educates the patient in ways to avoid further injury; and sometimes uses hot/cold therapy to help reduce pain, symptoms, and inflammation

Manual manipulation, which is performed by an osteopathic or chiropractic professional who gently manipulates the cervical spine to reduce joint dysfunction and restore mobility

For many patients, these non-surgical treatments are effective in reducing cervical herniated disc symptoms and improving daily function.

What Are My Surgical Options for a Cervical Herniated Disc?

If conservative treatments fail to alleviate your pain and symptoms, your doctor will probably recommend a surgical alternative to correct the herniated disc.

There are generally two procedures used to correct cervical herniation:

ACDF:

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common means of correcting cervical disc herniation. The surgeon makes a small incision in the front (anterior) of the neck, then removes the affected disc. The vertebrae above and below are then fused, using a metal plate and screws. While this procedure effectively stabilizes the joint, mobility is lost once the bones are fused.

ACDR:

Artificial cervical disc replacement (ACDR) uses the same anterior approach to removing the affected disc, but instead of fusing the bones together, the damaged disc is replaced with a graft.

The graft will mimic the original disc, providing cushion and support for the cervical joint while maintaining mobility.

What Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

When deciding on a surgical treatment for your cervical herniated disc, be sure to choose a surgeon who offers a minimally invasive approach.

Minimally invasive spine surgery is often preferred for cervical herniated disc treatment when appropriate, as it allows for precise nerve decompression with less disruption to surrounding structures.

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) provides a superior technique compared to conventional spinal surgery. Utilizing small incisions and aided by high-powered microscopes, surgeons trained in MISS can offer a range of advantages, including:

• Less trauma to surrounding tissues, which means less blood loss for the patient
• A faster recovery, with less scarring and pain
• A speedy turnaround, because the procedures are performed on an outpatient basis
• Less risk of hospital-based infection when performed at a specialized surgical center

Make sure your surgeon is board certified, which ensures that they have the appropriate education, training, and experience in spinal surgery.

Choosing a surgeon who works within an integrated spine center, such as DISC Sports & Spine Center, allows for continuity of care from diagnosis through recovery.

There's no need to go with conventional surgery when MISS offers a far superior approach to cervical herniated disc treatment.