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Cervical Disc Herniation Symptoms, Treatment, causes, diagnosis and surgery

By Dr. Saijyot Raut, Consultant Spine Surgeon at One Spine 
08/11/2025 | 7 Min read

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Summary

  • Cervical disc herniation, also known as a neck slipped disc, occurs when the soft inner part of a cervical disc bulges out and presses on nearby nerves, causing neck pain, stiffness, and tingling in the arms or fingers. It’s often due to ageing, poor posture, or sudden injury.

  • Diagnosis involves MRI or CT scans, and treatment ranges from physiotherapy and medications to advanced surgical options like ACDF or artificial disc replacement.

  •  Early medical attention and proper rehabilitation can prevent complications and restore neck mobility effectively.

Neck pain that spreads to your arm, shoulder or causes tingling in your fingers may be more than a simple muscle strain it could indicate cervical disc herniation. Disc herniation can happen anywhere in the spine, starting from the cervical discs in the neck down to the Lower Back Herniation close to the L5 vertebra in the lower back. This condition is one of the most common causes of neck related nerve pain especially among working professionals who spend long hours on computers or mobile devices. Understanding the symptoms, causes and treatment options can help you make informed decisions about your spine health.

 

Cervical Disc Herniation MRI

What Is Cervical Disc Herniation?

Between each bone (vertebra) in your spine lies a cushion like structure called an intervertebral disc which acts as a shock absorber. When the soft inner gel of the cervical disc pushes through its outer layer, it can irritate nearby nerves this is known as a cervical disc herniation or slipped disc in the neck.

This pressure on the spinal nerves can lead to pain, numbness or weakness that travels from your neck down to your shoulders, arms or even fingers.

Common Symptoms of Cervical Disc Herniation

Symptoms vary depending on which disc or nerve root is affected, but common signs include:

  • Persistent neck pain or stiffness

  • Radiating pain to the shoulder arm or hand

  • Tingling or numbness in the arms or fingers

  • Muscle weakness in the shoulder or arm

  • Headaches that start from the back of the neck

  • Increased pain when turning or bending the neck

If these symptoms persist for more than a few days or interfere with your daily activities, it’s important to consult a spine specialist.

Causes of Cervical Disc Herniation

A herniated disc in the neck can occur for several reasons often related to wear and tear or injury:

  • Age related degeneration: The discs naturally lose water content and elasticity over time, making them more prone to rupture.

  • Repetitive strain: Poor posture, especially from prolonged computer or mobile use, increases pressure on the cervical spine.

  • Sudden trauma or injury: Accidents, sports injuries or sudden jerking movements can lead to disc herniation.

  • Genetic factors: Some people may have a hereditary tendency toward disc weakness or degeneration.

Diagnosis How It’s Identified

A herniated disc in the neck can occur for several reasons often related to wear and tear or injury:

  • Age related degeneration: The discs naturally lose water content and elasticity over time, making them more prone to rupture.

  • Repetitive strain: Poor posture, especially from prolonged computer or mobile use, increases pressure on the cervical spine.

  • Sudden trauma or injury: Accidents, sports injuries or sudden jerking movements can lead to disc herniation.

  • Genetic factors: Some people may have a hereditary tendency toward disc weakness or degeneration.

Diagnosis How It’s Identified

A spine specialist will begin with a detailed physical and neurological examination to assess your symptoms and reflexes. Diagnostic imaging helps confirm the condition and its severity:

  • MRI scan The most accurate test to visualize the disc and nerve compression.

     

  • CT scan or X-rays Helps assess bone alignment and rule out fractures.

     

Accurate diagnosis ensures the right treatment plan is created for long term recovery.

Treatment Options for Cervical Disc Herniation

Neck pain especially from a cervical disc herniation can significantly affect daily life. With advancements in medical care, patients now have various effective treatment options for cervical disc herniation, including non surgical therapies and minimally invasive procedures. For those experiencing persistent neck discomfort, specialised neck pain treatment in Mumbai may provide the right approach to relief and recovery.

Non Surgical Treatment

 In most cases cervical disc herniation can be managed without surgery. The goal of conservative treatment is to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and restore mobility.

  • Medications: Anti inflammatory drugs or pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling.

  • Physiotherapy: Focused exercises and posture correction to relieve pressure and improve neck mobility.

  • Lifestyle modifications: Ergonomic adjustments, stretching  and avoiding prolonged neck strain.

  • Epidural steroid injections: May help in cases of persistent inflammation and nerve irritation.

Surgical Treatment

If conservative treatment fails after several weeks or if there is significant nerve compression, surgery may be necessary.

 Common surgical options include:

  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): ACDF is a surgical procedure performed on the cervical spine to remove a damaged or herniated disc that’s pressing on the spinal cord or nerve roots. The term anterior refers to the front of the neck, where the surgeon accesses the spine through a small incision. After the problematic disc is removed, the empty disc space is filled with an implant and the adjacent vertebrae are fused together for stability.

This procedure helps relieve neck and arm pain, restore nerve function, and prevent further spinal degeneration.

anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery
  • Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement: it is also known as Cervical Disc Arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to replace a damaged or degenerated cervical disc with a prosthetic (artificial) disc.

    This procedure offers an advanced, motion preserving alternative to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), which permanently joins two vertebrae together.

    Both procedures are highly effective when performed by an experienced and specialised spine surgeon in Mumbai.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery depends on the severity of the condition and the treatment method used.

  • After conservative treatment improvement is usually seen within weeks.

  • Post-surgery, most patients return to daily activities within a few weeks, with guided physiotherapy helping to strengthen the neck and restore mobility.

Following your doctor’s rehabilitation plan, maintaining good posture, and doing regular spine exercises play a crucial role in preventing recurrence.

When to See a Doctor

If you experience persistent neck pain, arm weakness, or numbness that doesn’t improve, don’t delay evaluation. Early treatment can prevent long term nerve damage and improve your quality of life.

If you’re in Mumbai and looking for expert guidance, consulting an experienced spine specialist can help determine the best course of treatment tailored to your condition.

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Picture of Dr. Saijyot Raut

Dr. Saijyot Raut

M.S ( Ortho), F MISS, F CV

Dr.Saijyot Raut is a consultant spine surgeon with 10+ years of expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery, scoliosis and complex spinal disorders. He is part of One Spine team which has branches all over Mumbai and practises across leading hospitals in Mumbai

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