Cervical Disc Herniation: Pain Radiating into the Arm

Symptoms

• Pain radiating from the neck to the shoulder, arm and fingers
• Numbness and tingling in the arm or fingers
• Weakness in the arm; difficulty holding a cup or fastening buttons
• Pain aggravated by neck movement, particularly extension
• Headache and dull pain between the shoulder blades

Clumsiness of the hands, unsteadiness when walking, or numbness in both hands may indicate pressure on the spinal cord and should be assessed without delay.

Causes and Diagnosis

With age, the water content and resilience of the discs decline. Prolonged forward head posture (computer and phone use), sudden strains and trauma accelerate the process.

Diagnosis rests on the history and neurological examination; which fingers are numb and which muscles are weak indicate the affected nerve root. MRI shows the disc and nerve roots in detail, with nerve conduction studies added when needed.

Treatment

Non-surgical treatment is sufficient for most patients: posture correction, adjusting screen height, a strengthening programme for the neck and shoulder girdle, physiotherapy and appropriate pain management.

Surgery is considered when weakness progresses, when there are signs of spinal cord compression, or when adequate conservative treatment fails — see spine surgery.