Cervical Disc Herniation: A Pain In The Neck That Is Treatable

      Cervical (neck) disc herniation is seen in many age groups. This problem is becoming more common as people spend hours each day with their neck bent to look at computers, tablets or cell phones. Ivan Stoev, M.D., a neurosurgeon at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, answers some commonly asked questions about cervical disk herniation.

What Is A Herniated Disc?

      The spinal column is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae. Between the vertebrae are flat, round cushioning pads called intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers. Each disc has a soft rubbery center made of cartilage like our ear lobe. A herniated disc ‒ also called a slipped or ruptured disc ‒ occurs when pressure from the vertebrae above and below force some or all of the “rubbery cartilage” through a weakened part of the outer layer of the disc. 

What Are The Symptoms Of A Herniated Disc?

      Neck pain, headache, pain radiating down the arm or in the shoulder, and numbness or weakness in the fingers are all signs.

How Is A Herniated Disc Diagnosed?

      Your physician can order a variety of tests to determine the cause of neck or shoulder pain, such as X-rays or MRI or CT scans, sometimes with dye is injected into the spinal canal. Another test is an electromyelogram, which involves placing small needles into muscles and measuring their response.

How Is A Herniated Disc Treated?

      Some improve on their own. Physical therapy, steroidal medication and traction can help improve them too, as can spinal injections known as epidurals or nerve blocks. For more serious cases, surgery to decompress the nerve root and remove a small part of the disc gives pain relief. For extreme neck and arm pain, we can remove the entire disc, replace it with a bone graft or artificial disc. Most patients can resume normal activities six to eight weeks after surgery.

      To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stoev or another Cleveland Clinic neurosurgeon, call (877) 463-2010 or visit clevelandclinicflorida.org/neuro to learn more.