Cervical Disc Disease

Explanation by Dr. Ali Nemati Similar to the lumbar region, cervical disc herniation can compress the spinal cord, causing pain in the neck and upper limbs. • Sometimes herniation occurs laterally, in which case only hand pain is felt. • The severity and location of herniation determine symptoms: o Mild: localized neck pain o Moderate: neck pain + sensory symptoms in the arms (tingling or numbness) o Severe: sensory and motor symptoms in the arms, muscle weakness, and sometimes difficulty walking Patients may experience pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand and may need to consult a neurosurgeon. Causes of neck pain: • Disc degeneration • Spinal canal narrowing • Joint inflammation (arthrosis) • Rarely: cancer or meningitis For serious neck problems, consultation with a primary care physician and often a neurosurgeon is necessary for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.