Intervertebral discs provide the necessary cushion to facilitate movement and flexibility in the spine. They can be found between each pair of vertebrae — from way down in the lumbar region of the spine, all the way to the top of cervical spine. While most herniated discs affect the lumbar region, individuals suffering from a herniated disc in the cervical region will face a series of significant obstacles when trying to live a normal life. This is because herniated discs result in nerve compression which can lead to a host of symptoms, including:
- Pain and tenderness in the neck area
- Headaches
- Radiating pain that affects the jaw, shoulders, or other nearby areas
- Numbness and tingling that extends through one or both of the arms
- Muscle weakness or spasms in the shoulders or arms
In this article, we’ll discuss these five common symptoms of herniated discs and recommend several treatment options for those suffering from this potentially debilitating condition. For assistance diagnosing and treating a neck herniation, rely on the experienced team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons at Florida Surgery Consultants.
1. Pain and Tenderness in the Neck Area
When it comes to a herniated disc in the neck, you can rest assured that some of your pain will be localized. In other words, you can expect varying degrees of pain and tenderness in the neck area. While a neck herniation isn’t really considered a common herniated disc like a lumbar herniation, it still affects a large number of people across the nation. Among all the symptoms experienced by patients who are suffering from a herniated disc in the neck, localized pain and tenderness is arguably one of the most commonly cited. This pain can last for minutes, hours, or days at a time. Chronic pain sufferers can even experience relentless pain for several months at a time. Although pain can recede without treatment, the root of the pain — the herniated disc — is still present, which means pain can return at any time.
2. Headaches
There are numerous reasons why an individual may experience a headache. Stress, hunger, poor posture, lack of sleep, poor diet, alcohol consumption, and dehydration are just some of the common causes of headaches. Unfortunately, while many of these causes can be addressed by taking a break, refueling, or making smart decisions, there’s no such luxury when it comes to a cervical herniation. A pinched nerve caused by a herniated disc in the neck, also known as cervical radiculopathy, commonly results in headaches. This is doubly true when the upper nerve roots are being compressed. These types of headaches are referred to as cervicogenic headaches. If you suddenly begin to experience headaches out of nowhere or following a traumatic accident, you may be suffering from a herniated disc in your neck.
3. Radiating Pain That Affects the Jaw, Shoulders, or Other Nearby Areas
Additionally, patients with a herniated disc in the neck may experience radiating pain in the jaw, shoulders, and other nearby areas. Radiating pain comes and goes intermittently, often lasting for a few minutes or less at a time. For some, this uncomfortable sensation is reminiscent of the feeling of a panic attack. Usually, it grows in area and intensity before receding. Depending on the amount of nerve compression and damage in your neck, radiating pain may affect all, both, or one of these regions. Some patients may have difficulty pinpointing where their radiating pain originates. If this describes you, consult an experienced spine surgeon to receive an accurate diagnosis.
4. Numbness and Tingling That Extends Through One or Both of the Arms
The nerves in the spine are connected to the nerves located all throughout your body, so when they become compressed from a herniated disc, the symptoms have a tendency to travel. Name and case: numbness and tingling that extends through one or both of the arms is a common symptom of a herniated disc in the neck. Many patients describe this sensation as “pins and needles” in their arms or extremities, similar to the feeling that is experienced when a foot has “fallen asleep” (only more intense). Usually, this sensation is felt in one arm or the other. It’s rare for an individual to experience coinciding numbness in both arms. Whether you consider numbness and tingling a minor inconvenience or a disruptor that has affected your day-to-day routine, the herniated disc causing it can be repaired under the skillful hand of a spine surgeon in Florida using the latest advances in spine surgery.
5. Muscle Weakness or Spasms in the Shoulders or Arms
Another common symptom of a herniated disc in the neck is muscle weakness or spasms in the shoulders or arms. It should become readily apparent you begin to lose strength in your shoulders and arms. Groceries will get heavier, your car door might not slam completely every time, and your nephew might finally get the upper hand in arm wrestling. Muscle spasms are even more noticeable, especially when they become painful. Massaging the affected area or seeking chiropractic care may provide short-term relief for pain caused by muscle spasms, but it won’t fix the herniated disc causing the initial symptoms.
At Florida Surgery Consultants, we treat patients using the most advanced surgical techniques to ensure that patients receive prompt, stress-free treatment with a reduced risk of complications. Whether a patient requires ACDF (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion), artificial disc replacement, or posterior cervical discectomy, our experienced team of orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons can ensure that you are comfortable throughout the treatment process — from your first consultation to last day of recovery.
