The cervical spine is composed of seven small bones within the neck called vertebrae. In between each of the neck vertebrae lies a disc that helps cushion and protect the vertebrae. Disc injury, damage or degradation can cause these discs to slip out of place. When this occurs, people can develop herniated disc symptoms in the neck.
Pain
Pain is the predominate symptom associated with a herniated disc in the neck. Initially, people can experience sensations of dull, burning pain within the neck. Depending upon the location of the herniated disc along the neck, people can experience sensations of pain that radiate from the neck into the upper shoulders or down the arms into the hands, explain health professionals with spine-health. Pain can be mild to severe and typically persists until the herniated disc is put back into place. Sudden or severe neck pain should be promptly discussed with a medical professional.
Numbness and Tingling
A herniated disc within the neck can depress or constrict the nerves that run along the spinal cord. When this occurs, signal transmission along the affected nerve is interrupted. Affected people can experience an unusual pins-and-needles or tingling sensation within one arm, warn medical professionals with the American Associated or Orthopaedic Surgeons. Certain people can also develop sensations of numbness within the affected arm or hand. These uncomfortable symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck can interfere with a person's ability to move the neck or upper body normally.
Weakness
Nerve damage caused by a herniated disc within the neck can contribute to shoulder or arm muscle weakness in affected people, according to spine-health. Sensations of weakness are typically temporary and can make it difficult for affected people to lift or move the arms as usual. Certain people can experience trouble gripping or grabbing certain items due to hand weakness caused by a herniated cervical disc. People who develop sudden upper body weakness require immediate medical attention as this symptom can also be a sign of stroke.
Urinary or Bowel Incontinence
A herniated disc in the neck may sever or permanently damage cervical nerves. Consequently, affected people can experience loss of bladder or bowel control--symptoms referred to as urinary or bowel incontinence, warn AAOS health professionals. Loss of excretory control is embarrassing and causes affected people to experience frequent, uncontrollable urinary or bowel urges. People who experience incontinence may accidentally soil their clothing due to involuntary urine or bowel leakage. A doctor should evaluate any person who develops urinary or bowel incontinence symptoms.
References
- spine-health: Cervical Herniated Disc Symptoms and Treatment Options
- SpineUniverse: Cervical Herniated Disc or Ruptured Disc
- American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Herniated Disk
- Princeton Brain and Spine Care: Cervical Disc Herniation Symptoms and Treatment
- The Southern California Orthopedic Institute: Anatomy of the Spine
