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The cervical spine plays a significant role in stabilizing your head, allowing you to turn in many directions to see, and protecting your spinal cord. The cervical spine is made up of 7 cervical vertebral bodies with soft but sturdy cushioned cervical discs that act as shock absorbers and stabilize the spine.
A cervical herniated disc can occur when the spine is compressed due to trauma or due to degenerative disc disease, and the inner part of the disc, called the nucleus pulposus, pushes through the outer part of the disc called annulus fibrosus. When the herniated disc (linked to herniated disc page) compresses the spinal cord or exiting spinal nerves, patients can experience severe neck and shoulder pain and radiating pain into the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
We routinely evaluate and treat chronic neck, shoulder, arm and hand pain caused by a cervical herniated disc. When your quality of life deteriorates, and conservative treatments fail, call one of our patient care members. Our team can discuss our least invasive treatment options, so you can make an educated decision about your spine care. We believe that “Less is so much more” and we want to help you get back to your life sooner than traditional spine surgery.
ConditionCausesSymptomsDiagnosis, Treatment & Recovery
Herniated discs, in the cervical spine, usually are a result of normal wear and tear, injury or trauma. Natural degenerative disc disease is the most common cause of cervical spine (neck) and the lumbar spine (lower back). Over the years, repetitive strain and motion, the vertebrae, and facet joints that allow movement in your neck begin to wear down the disc. The repetitive motion over time can lead the disc to become dehydrated as a result of the degenerative process is starting to crack, and potentially lead to the nucleus, or inner gel, to abruptly leak or herniate through the outer wall of the annulus.
When the bulging or herniated disc presses on the spinal cord or exiting nerve root it causing sharp pain in the neck, shoulders, or arms and hands. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial that you consult a spinal surgeon. The following symptoms can occur with a cervical herniated disc:
When a patient makes an appointment presenting with pain potentially caused by a herniated disc the surgeon starts with a complete history and physical examination. It is essential for the surgeon to piece together the patient’s story of how the pain or problem began while looking for clues to what is causing the pain. A spine surgeon usually uses four distinct tests to identify the cause of a patient’s pain in the cervical or neck area.
Anti-inflammatory Medications such as ibuprofen or Naproxen (Advil, Aleve, Motrin) or COX-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex and Mobic are very effective pain relievers. Oral Steroids such as prednisone or Medrol Dose Pak, are only recommended for a short period of one week.
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