Cervical Disc Herniation - Overview

The cervical spine is the upper portion of your spine, or your neck. The most susceptible levels in the cervical spine to become herniated are the C5 - C6 level (cervical 5 and cervical 6) and the C6 -C7 level. The next most common level for disc herniation is the C4 - C5 level. The C7 - T1 level may herniate, but this happens rarely.

The nerve that is affected by cervical disc herniation is the one exiting the spine, the C6 nerve root. When a herniated disc or bulging disc causes foraminal stenosis or pinches the nerve at the c6 level from a c5-c6 disc herniation, symptoms such as arm pain, numbness, and tingling in addition to neck pain can occur.

Arm pain from a cervical herniated disc is one of the more common cervical spine conditions that occur in the US. This is very common among people ages 30-40 and can be the result of an injury or trauma, such as an auto accident or workers' comp injury.

Arm pain from a cervical herniated disc in the c5-c6, c6-c7, or c4-c5 level can occur because the herniated disc in the neck “pinches” or presses on the nerve, causing pain to radiate along the nerve pathway down the arm, along with numbness or tingling into the fingertips or muscle weakness.

• C5-C6 Disc Herniation
• C4-C5 Disc Herniation
• C6-C7 Disc Herniation

VIDEO: Dr. Deukmedjian Explains Back Pain from Damaged Discs