Cervical disc disease covers degeneration or herniation of the discs in the neck. A worn or herniated cervical disc can cause neck pain, pain radiating into the shoulder and arm (cervical radiculopathy), tingling or numbness in the fingers and, when the spinal cord itself is compressed, problems with balance and hand coordination (cervical myelopathy).
Symptoms of cervical disc disease
Common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, sharp or electric pain radiating down one arm, tingling or numbness in specific fingers, and arm weakness. Cord compression (myelopathy) can cause clumsy hands, difficulty with buttons or writing, and unsteady walking — these symptoms need prompt specialist assessment.
Diagnosis
A focused clinical examination maps which nerve root or whether the spinal cord is involved. MRI of the cervical spine confirms the level and severity of compression. Nerve conduction studies are occasionally used to distinguish nerve-root compression from problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Non-surgical management
Most cervical disc problems without cord compression are treated conservatively: posture and workstation correction (screen at eye level), targeted physiotherapy, short courses of appropriate medication, and activity modification. Many radiculopathies settle over six to twelve weeks with this approach.
When surgery is needed
Surgery is considered for persistent arm pain despite good conservative care, progressive weakness, or any evidence of spinal cord compression. Options include anterior cervical discectomy (with fusion or artificial disc replacement) and, in selected cases, posterior endoscopic approaches. The choice is individualised to your anatomy and MRI.