Cervical disc injury can occur from a trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or simply from changes due to aging. According to the Mayfield Clinic, in most cases, the pain from a herniated disc will get better within a couple days and completely resolve in 4 to 6 weeks. Cervical pain should always be evaluated by a physician to determine the source and course of treatment.
Decreased Range of Movement
When a cervical disc is injured, whether from a motor vehicle accident, or the wear and tear of aging, the ability to move the neck is often reduced. In the case of injury, the muscles of the neck will often spasm in an attempt to protect the injured area and any attempt to move the head and neck will be very painful. As individuals age, the cervical disc loses elasticity and height. This results in a decrease of motion at each cervical level and eventually, a decrease in the range of movement of the neck.
Pain
Most cervical disc pathology will result in some degree of pain. When disc herniations or bulges are large enough to press against or pinch a branch of the cervical nerves, the individual will experience not only neck pain, but pain into the shoulder, down the arm and possibly into the fingers. The exact pathway that this radiating pain travels depends on what level the disc herniation occurs, as each part of the arm is innervated by a different cervical nerve branch. The quality pain from a cervical disc herniation is generally sharp, burning, electric or tingly in nature and may increase or decrease with certain movements of the neck.
Strength Loss
If a cervical disc impinges upon a cervical nerve either very strongly or for a prolonged period of time, the patient can experience a loss of strength in the upper extremity. Where the strength loss occurs specifically, depends on what level of cervical nerve is affected, as each muscle is controlled by a different cervical nerve. Often the patient will experience a loss of grip strength and find activities requiring fine motor control to be difficult. Usually, strength losses occur only on the side that the disc is pressing against the nerve. Frequently, losses of strength are temporary and will resolve once the nerve impingement is resolved.
