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Cervical degenerative disc disease

Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment

Disc degeneration

Cervical disc degeneration is a common cause of neck pain, most frequently felt as a stiff neck. Cervical degenerative disc disease is much less common than disc degeneration in the lumbar spine because the neck generally is subjected to far less torque and force. Nonetheless, a fall or a twisting injury to the disc space can spur degeneration, and accumulated wear and tear on the disc over time can also lead to neck pain caused by disc degeneration.

Cervical degenerative disc disease pain and symptoms

In addition to having the low-grade pain of a stiff or inflexible neck, many patients with cervical disc degeneration have numbness, tingling, or even weakness in the neck, arms or shoulders as a result of nerves in the cervical area becoming irritated or pinched. For example, a pinched nerve root in the C6-C7 segment could result in weakness in the triceps and forearms, wrist drop and altered sensation in the middle fingers or fingertips. Cervical disc degeneration can also contribute to spinal stenosis and other progressive conditions, as well as a more sudden disc herniation.

Cervical degenerative disc disease diagnosis

Successful diagnosis of cervical degenerative disc disease begins with a physician reviewing the patient's history of symptoms and performing a physical examination to measure neck extension and flexibility. During the exam, patients may be asked to perform certain movements and report whether the neck pain increases or decreases. If a physical exam warrants further investigation, imaging studies such as x-ray, MRI and possibly a CT scan will be taken. These diagnostic images can confirm whether and where degeneration is occurring, and can identify other conditions (such as calcification or arthritis) that could be causing the symptoms.

Cervical degenerative disc disease treatment

The treatment is largely the same as for degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine. That is, conservative care (non-surgical) is recommended as the primary strategy. Surgery is only considered if a concerted effort at conservative care fails to provide adequate pain relief or a patient's daily activity has been significantly compromised.

• Conservative care – includes applying ice or heat, using medications to control pain and inflammation, and exercising the neck and shoulder areas to relieve stiffness and maintain flexibility. In addition, neck appliances or traction may be prescribed.
• Over-the-counter and prescription medications -- includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and pain relievers like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol). Prescription medications such as oral steroids, muscle relaxants or narcotic pain medications may also be used.
• Exercise -- specifically stretching as many dimensions of the neck as possible, is essential to maintain flexibility in the neck and relieve chronic stiffness. Specific exercises can be recommended by a physician or physical therapist to be done several times a day.
• Physical therapy or chiropractic manipulation may also provide relief by helping patients extend the neck and shoulders to increase, at least temporarily, the disc space in the affected vertebral segment.
• Use of a cervical collar, cervical pillows or neck traction may also be recommended to stabilize the neck and improve neck alignment so the disc compression is not exacerbated as a patient sleeps or relaxes at home.
• Surgery - If pain is not relieved adequately with 6 months of conservative care and daily activities become difficult, surgery may be considered. Specifically fusion may be recommended to stop the motion of the affected cervical vertebral segment. This entails removal of the disc, decompression of the nerve root, and insertion of a bone graft or a metal cage device to help maintain or reestablish the normal height of the disc space as well as neck stability and alignment. A cervical plate may be used to promote fusion between the two vertebrae.

Generally, a 1-level fusion is done, and in rare circumstances a 2-level fusion would be considered. However, patients should know that surgery for neck pain is much less reliable than surgery to relieve arm pain from cervical degenerative disc disease. Thus if the only or predominant symptom is neck pain, fusion surgery should be recommended only as a last resort and after all other treatment options have been exhausted. If a disc space cannot be identified as the probable pain generator, it is reasonable even in cases where conservative treatment has not worked well to avoid surgery.

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