What is a Cervical Disc Herniation?

What Causes a Cervical Disc Herniation?

With age, discs lose water and elasticity. Prolonged forward-bent screen use, heavy lifting, sudden neck strain and smoking accelerate disc wear. Disc material escaping through the weakened outer ring compresses the nerve root.

Symptoms

• Neck pain and pain around the shoulder blade
• Pain, numbness or tingling spreading from the shoulder down the arm to the fingers
• Reduced grip strength
• Rarely, unsteady walking and loss of fine hand skills (spinal cord compression)

Frequently Asked Questions

When is surgery needed for a herniated neck disc?

Most patients recover with medication, physiotherapy, exercise and, when needed, injections. Surgery is considered for progressive arm weakness, signs of spinal cord compression or severe pain that persists for months.