Cervical Herniated Disk
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Surgery to remove a herniated disc is one of the most common procedures at UF Health. The cervical (neck) section of the spine supports the weight of your head and allows you to bend your head forward and backward, from side to side, and rotate 180 degrees. There are seven vertebrae that make up this section of the spine. Each one of these vertebrae is separated by discs that contain a gel-filled center called the nucleus.
A cervical herniated disc occurs when one of these particular nuclei ruptures through a tear or break in the disc wall. Simple solutions such as medication and rest, in tandem with physical therapy, can be a remedy for many patients. Nonetheless, others may require surgery. In any case, UF Health is ready to bring your quality of life back to normal.
About Cervical Herniated Disc
Herniated disc, commonly known as a slipped disc, is a condition in which the central part of the intervertebral disc protrudes into the spinal canal. This typically occurs due to a tear in the tough fibrous annular ring that surrounds a soft inner core, resulting in herniation of the softer material. Aging is the most common cause, however trauma can also cause disc herniations.
Most commonly this occurs in the lowermost part of the spine, however these can occur in the neck. This protrusion usually occurs to one side of the spinal canal, at the point where a nerve root leaves the canal. Impingement on the nerve causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the part of the skin and muscle that are supplied by that particular nerve root.
Symptoms
Cervical discs cause pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms. This is called radiculopathy. Pain may radiate down the arm into the hand in the specific distribution of the compressed nerve root. If a cervical disc compresses the spinal cord, there may significant problems with walking, spasticity, and bowel-bladder incontinence. This is called myelopathy
| Disc Level | Motor deficit | Reflex change | Sensory deficit |
|---|---|---|---|
| C4-5 | Deltoid weakness | Lateral shoulder | |
| C5-6 | Bicep weakness | Bicep | Lateral arm & forearm, thumb and index finger |
| C6-7 | Tricep, wrist extension | Tricep | middle finger |
| C7- T1 | Hand Grip, wrist flexion | ring and small finger
|
Diagnosis
The spine is examined with the patient laying down and standing. Due to muscle spasm, a loss of normal spinal curvature may be noted. Radicular pain (inflammation of a spinal nerve) may increase when pressure is applied to the affected spinal level.
Individual muscle groups are tested for strength to determine any signs of weakness. The entire body is tested with fine touch and light pins to determine any subtle loss of sensation. Abnormal reflexes at the elbows, hands, knees or ankles may reveal the location of the disc herniation.
MR (magnetic resonance) imaging provide the best way to view the anatomy and soft tissues around the spine. Herniated discs are easily seen and can be examined for surgical options. If the patient is unable to get an MRI, i.e. the patient has a pacemaker, a CT scan with myelography is acceptable imaging technique.
Treatment
The initial treatment for a herniated cervical disc is usually conservative and involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin) and rest. Approximately 80% of herniated discs can be managed conservatively.
Most physicians will prescribe physical therapy to help relieve the pain. Therapists employ traction, ultrasound, and electrical muscle stimulation to relax the muscles that are in spasm and secondarily inflamed from the compressed spinal nerve. An epidural steroid injection may be performed utilizing a spinal needle under x-ray guidance to direct the medication to the exact level of the disc herniation. This is performed either by the neurosurgeon or a pain specialist.
If there are signs of myelopathy or when conservative treatments fail then surgery is necessary.
A posterior cervical discectomy may be performed as well. During this operation the bone is removed from the back of the spine to expose the compressed nerve root. The disc is then removed allowing space for the root to pass.
Recently, artificial discs have been introduced in the treatment of cervical disc disease. A prostethetic disc can be placed into the disc space without having to place a bone graft. This has the advantage of maintaining normal mobility of the neck and hopefully preventing premature disc disease at other levels of the spine.