Symptoms of a slipped disc of the cervical spine

Introduction

The symptoms of a herniated disc of the cervical spine can vary greatly in their severity and intensity. If a herniated disc puts pressure on the nerves that emerge from the cervical spine, pain in the neck, shoulders and arms can be accompanied by numbness and, in the worst case, paralysis in the neck and upper body areas that are supplied by the damaged nerve.

Pain

Due to the prolapse of damaged parts of the affected intervertebral disc, there is an enormous pressure load in the root canal of the cervical spine. As a result, it is possible that certain nerve roots no longer have enough space and are constricted by the intervertebral disc. Based on the strength with which the nerve root is compressed, the pain perceived by the patient can have a different character.

In some cases, the occurring pain can be localized exactly, occurs suddenly and can be described as sharp, shooting and stabbing. On the other hand, there may also be subliminal, dull pain that is very difficult to localise. In most cases, the pain is mainly located in the neck and shoulder area and can sometimes spread over the entire arm to the individual fingers.

A radiation into the head is also possible. Through movements of the head, both forward and backward, and rotations, the pain often increases. Many patients also report an increase in pain in a lying position.

In order to escape and counteract the pain, patients often adopt forced postures that allow the pressure on the affected nerve root to be relieved temporarily. The incorrect postures adopted lead to tension in the shoulder and neck area, which, in addition to neck pain and stiffness, can be accompanied by dizziness and headaches. If no adequate treatment is initiated, the pain can become chronic.

A herniated disc often causes radicular pain. Radicular in this case means that the pain occurs in the area supplied by one or more nerves. In the case of a herniated disc, the nerve roots are compressed.

The area that is supplied by these nerves then hurts, is paralyzed or can no longer feel anything sensitively. The cervical spine consists of the spinal cord segments C1-8, from which the respective nerves, the so-called spinal nerves, emerge. The spinal nerves C5-Th1 form the brachial plexus, a large network of nerves that supplies the entire shoulder and arm muscles.

So if a segment in the lower part of the cervical spine is narrowed, a symptomatology in the arm is certain. The pain can radiate from the neck over the shoulder into different areas of the arm. Are rather deeper nerve roots affected, even up to the fingertips.

In addition, one has sensitivity disorders (sensation of touch, pain and temperature are reduced), a tingling in the arm or numbness. It can even lead to paralysis of individual muscles. Since each muscle is innervated by different segments, the localisation can lead to the loss of different muscle groups or individual muscles. Pain tends to radiate over a larger area, but the paralysis of a muscle can usually be traced back to the affected vertebral body.