The bones of the spinal column, called vertebrae, protect the spinal cord that runs from the skull to the pelvis. Gel-filled pads or disks between the vertebrae act as shock absorbers for the spinal column. In the neck area, the vertebrae hold up the head and allow it to turn from side to side, making this region more complex than the lower back. Aging, wear and tear, poor body mechanics and injuries can cause damage to the cervical disks that result in weakness, numbness, tingling and pain, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Pain
Cervical disc problems commonly cause pain in the neck, shoulder and arm on one side of the body, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Pressure on the nerve affects the trapezius muscles that run between the neck and the shoulder, causing pain that may be dull, aching or burning in nature and, in rare cases, may radiate to the fingers, according to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health. Headaches in the back of the head may also occur. The pain may begin slowly and worsen when the patient coughs, laughs, sneezes, bends backwards, walks more than a short distance or goes to bed. Rest, over-the-counter pain medications, muscle relaxants and cold or hot compresses can be helpful in relieving symptoms in 90 percent of patients, according to AAOS.
Neurological Symptoms
Pressure on a nerve in the neck can cause numbness, tingling or weakness on one side of the body, according to AAOS. Symptoms may resemble those of gout, carpal tunnel syndrome or rotator cuff injury. More serious neurological symptoms such as pain, tingling and numbness in both arms, as well as loss of bowel and bladder control, is an indication of a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment. Surgery to remove the disc may be required if exercise and medications do not relieve the symptoms.
Muscle Weakness
A herniated cervical disk may cause a gradually increasing weakness in one arm, according to MedlinePlus. The patient may experience difficulty gripping objects with his affected hand and with holding his arm up in the air. In most cases, the patient recovers after several weeks or months of conservative treatment such as medication and physical therapy. Severe weakness in both arms and legs, however, requires immediate medical attention and emergency surgery, according to AAOS.
