The purpose of the cervical spine is to protect the spinal cord, support the skull and allow for movement of the head. The stress from the weight of the head and the way the head is moved make the neck susceptible to a cervical disc herniation, which has a variety of symptoms. Many people who have a cervical disc herniation may be symptom-free for some time, or symptoms may have a sudden onset. Symptoms can be treated by spine specialists or neurosurgeons.
Range of Motions and Reflexes
A cervical disc herniation can often cause limited range of motion, making it difficult to move the head from side to side or up and down. This is often because of the pain involved. For some patients, swelling in the neck occurs because of swollen joints. Reflexes and strength in the arms and hands can often change because of the disc herniation.
Cervical Herniation and Radiculopathy
Cervical herniations often originate from a trauma to the neck and include symptoms such as arm pain, which often starts suddenly. Pain, numbness or tingling that radiates down a limb is termed radiculopathy and is caused by a herniated disc pressing on or pinching nerves. This causes pain signals to be sent down the nerve pathways in the arm. Sometimes, numbness and tingling can be present in the arm or even in the fingers and may cause weakened muscles or loss of strength due to disc herniation.
Common Herniation Location and Symptoms
There are several areas of the cervical spine that are susceptible to injury and may cause different symptoms if the nerves are injured, irritated or stretched. Nerves in the cervical spine are connected to different areas of the body, which is why the location of the symptoms is considered in the diagnosis. A C4-C5 herniation often causes weakness in the deltoid and upper arm, as well as shoulder pain. Tingling and numbness in the arm and fingers is not as common with this type of herniation.
The most common herniations in the C-spine are at levels C5-C6 and C6-C7.
In a C5-C6 herniation, the biceps and wrist are often affected and there is tingling and/or pain radiating to the thumb. A C6-C7 herniation involves the triceps and the fingers, often causing numbness and tingling to radiate into the middle finger.
A C7 herniation causes general weakness in the hand and little finger.
Bladder Issues
In some cases, the bladder might be affected due to pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. If there are any issues with the bowel or bladder, seek a doctor's attention immediately.
Electric Shock Pain
Some cervical spine patients experience what feels like an electric shock. This occurs when a nerve from your brain is being compressed. In the case of a cervical disc herniation, the pain goes down your arm.
Tags: disc herniation, cervical disc, cervical disc herniation, cervical spine, numbness tingling