The symptoms of a cervical disc herniation can vary depending on the location of the herniated disc. In this article you will find information on the most common types of cervical disc hernias and the symptoms that you may notice if you have one. Read on to find out more.
Cervical disc herniation, along with disc herniation at the lumbar level, is one of the most frequently diagnosed spinal pathologies. Be aware that having this condition does not automatically mean you need to have surgery; in some cases, it isn’t necessary.
It’s one thing when a hernia compresses a nerve root, and another when it barely extends beyond the disc. The latter is known as a bulging disc or protrusion and rarely requires surgery. Surgery will always be the last option that the doctor resorts to when treating this type of pathology. But just because not all disc herniations require surgery doesn't mean they don't cause discomfort.
Types of cervical disc herniation and their symptoms
The pattern of pain will be closely related to the area where the herniated disc is located. In the following section we describe the most common types of cervical herniation and the symptoms that the patient can expect to have depending on which level of the cervical spine is affected.
- C4-C5 cervical disc herniation: this occurs when the nucleus pulposus, which is located inside the intervertebral disc, ruptures and escapes the ring that surrounds it. A hernia at this level can lead to shoulder pain and weakness in the deltoid muscle in the upper arm. The patient does not usually feel numbness or tingling.
- C5-C6 cervical disc herniation: this is one of the most common cervical herniations. The symptoms that may appear can include weakness in the biceps and in the extensor muscles of the wrists. The patient may also experience pain, numbness, and tingling that radiates to the thumb.
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- C6-C7 cervical hernia: The patient will experience weakness in the triceps, the muscles in the back of the arm that extend to the forearm. In addition, this weakness can radiate to the extensor muscles of the fingers, as well as numbness and pain radiating to the index and ring fingers. Along with the C5-C6 level, the C6-C7 level is one of the most common locations for a disc herniation.
- C7-T1 cervical disc herniation: this level is located in the lower part of the neck. It is precisely at this point that the cervical spine meets the upper or thoracic spine. When a hernia is located in this position it can cause loss of grip strength, which results in the patient finding it difficult to grasp objects with the hand. In addition, you may feel numbness, tingling and pain that radiates down the arm to the area of the little finger.
In the event that the patient requires surgical treatment, at Instituto Clavel we consider that ADR surgery or arthroplasty is one of the best alternatives since it allows the natural mobility of the spine to be preserved. This technique consists of replacing the cervical herniated disc with an artificial prosthesis that mimics a healthy natural disc. If this is not possible, another option is arthrodesis or fusion surgery.
Cervical disc herniation: symptoms and treatment
Now that we have described some of the symptoms that are associated with the different possible locations of a cervical disc herniation, we want to give you an overview of other symptoms that may appear and interfere with your ability to carry out your normal daily activities. It is important to recognize them in time so you can consult a specialist for medical advice as soon as possible and thus ensure proper treatment.
- Cervicalgia: characterized by constant pain in the neck caused by either some kind strain, or simply by using poor posture. After each new episode of this pain, it takes longer to go away and it reappears after shorter and shorter intervals. It can be accompanied by dizziness.
- Radiculopathy (cervical brachialgia): Usually called a "pinched nerve", this occurs when a nerve in the neck becomes compressed or irritated in the area where it branches from the spinal cord. It causes pain in the neck that radiates to the shoulder, arm and fingers. It is an ongoing irritation that can affect the patient’s sleep, causing insomnia and a feeling of pins and needles in the arm and/or hand. In more severe cases, there may be weakness and loss of sensation.
- Myelopathy: occurs when the spinal cord is compressed in the neck area, and the patient’s gait, or ability to walk normally is affected. In addition, the patient’s control of sphincters may be affected, or they may notice a loss of sensation in the arms and legs. These symptoms are seen more often in older patients.
How can I find out if I have a cervical hernia?
To begin with, to confirm a diagnosis of disc herniation, the doctor will need to have the patient's medical history and to perform a physical examination. In addition, the doctor will request imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging or a dynamic x-ray of the cervical spine.
In our case, we have the EOSedge scanner, which allows us to obtain a full-body image of the patient in standing position, to see their entire spine. This will allow us to examine the alignment of the spine, and to see if there is instability between the vertebrae, among other parameters, that can explain the origin of the herniation, and the relationship of the intervertebral disc with its neighboring anatomical components.
Remember, you can always get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to help you!
Treatment for cervical disc herniation
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, most patients who suffer from a cervical disc hernia do not need surgery. The doctor will first try nonsurgical treatments that can often relieve the symptoms in a matter of four to six weeks.
This treatment consists of:
- Pain medications
- Physical therapy
- Improving posture habits
When conservative treatments do not relieve the symptoms or if compression of the spinal cord is suspected, then it will be necessary to consider other medical pain-relief interventions, or surgery. Surgery, in this case, would consist of a complete removal of the disc (discectomy), followed by the placement of a spacer device or a total disc prosthesis.
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Categories: Spine treatments, Spine pathologies, Cervical pain