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Ruptured Cervical Disk
 
This is an abbreviated version of the complete article.*
Basic Facts
Intervertebral disks are firm rubbery plates of cartilage that are located between the vertebrae (the spinal bones) and act as shock absorbers when the spine moves.
The 7 cervical disks run from the base of the head to the top of the shoulders.
A disk ruptures when the soft inner layer protrudes through the outer layer and compresses spinal nerve roots or the spinal cord.
Symptoms include pain ranging from the neck down the shoulders and into the arm, forearm, and hand; weakness; loss of coordination; and sometimes difficulty controlling bladder or bowel function.
Intervertebral disks are firm, rubbery plates of cartilage that are located between the vertebrae (the spinal bones) and act as shock absorbers when the spine moves. The 7 cervical disks run from the base of the head to the top of the shoulders. A disk ruptures when the soft inner layer protrudes through the outer layer and compresses spinal nerve roots or the spinal cord.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Symptoms of a ruptured cervical disk include:
  • Dull or sharp pain in the neck or between the shoulder blades, or pain that radiates down the shoulders and arms;
  • Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand;
  • Problems with fine motor skills in the arms and hands;
  • A tingling sensation that radiates down the torso and into the legs;
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control; and
  • Paralysis.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

Causes of ruptured disks include:
  • Aging;
  • Traumatic injury;
  • Wear from use;
  • Being excessively overweight; and
  • Poor posture.
Smoking increases the risk of a ruptured disk and slows healing.

DIAGNOSIS

Tests used to diagnose a ruptured cervical disk include:
  • X rays;
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG);
  • Myelogram;
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan; and
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
TREATMENT APPROACH

The goal of treatment of a ruptured disk is to decrease pain and relieve the nerve irritation. Most cervical disk ruptures will heal without surgery in 2 to 6 weeks. Nonsurgical treatments of ruptured cervical disks include:
  • Immobilization of the neck with a cervical collar;
  • Decreased physical activity;
  • Cold and heat therapy;
  • Medications;
  • Epidural steroid injections;
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS);
  • Traction; and
  • Physical therapy or other types of exercise therapy.
Surgery is used to physically relieve the pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord, usually by removing the portion of the disk that is causing it. Surgery can be open (performed under general anesthesia and involve an incision into the body) or minimally invasive (local anesthesia is used and a smaller incision is made).

Surgical and minimally invasive procedures include:
  • Diskectomy;
  • Endoscopic diskectomy;
  • Spinal fusion; and
  • Newer procedures such as disk replacement.
Medical Review Date: May 24, 2006
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