Cervical spine · Long Beach, CA

Cervical herniated disc in Long Beach, CA

A herniated disc in the neck can send pain, tingling or weakness down the arm. Most settle without surgery, and the ones that do not can usually be treated with a short, modern procedure.

Cervical herniated disc care in Long Beach, with patients welcome from across South Bay, Orange County and the greater Los Angeles area.

Book a consultation (562) 427-8119

Overview

What is a cervical herniated disc?

The discs between the neck vertebrae have a tough outer ring and a soft center. A herniation happens when the center pushes through a weak spot in the ring. In the neck there is little spare room, so even a small herniation can press on a nerve root as it leaves the spine, or in larger cases on the spinal cord itself.

Herniations can appear suddenly after an awkward movement or injury, or build gradually as a disc wears. The nerve it presses on determines where you feel it: the shoulder, the outer arm, the thumb and index finger, or the middle and ring fingers. The good news is that most cervical herniations shrink over weeks to months as the body reabsorbs the disc material, and symptoms improve along with them.

Book a consultation (562) 427-8119

Causes

Common causes

Disc herniations are a mix of long term wear and a final event that pushes the disc past its limit.

Age related wear

Discs lose water and flexibility over time, making the outer ring easier to tear.

Repetitive strain

Years of looking down at screens, overhead work or heavy lifting load the neck discs.

Sudden injury

Falls, sports collisions, whiplash and car accidents can rupture a disc in an instant.

Poor posture

A forward head position puts constant extra pressure on the lower cervical discs.

Genetics

Some families have discs that wear and herniate earlier than others.

Smoking

Reduces blood supply to the discs and speeds up degeneration.

Symptoms

What it feels like

The pattern of symptoms tells us which disc and nerve are involved, often before any imaging.

Common symptoms

Neck pain and stiffness
Sharp or burning pain spreading into the shoulder blade, arm or hand
Numbness or tingling in specific fingers
Weakness in the arm, grip or fingers
Pain that is worse when turning the head or looking up
Relief when resting the hand on top of the head

See a doctor right away if

Weakness that is getting worse
Clumsy hands or trouble with buttons and writing
Unsteady walking or leg symptoms
Loss of bladder or bowel control

These can be signs of a problem that needs urgent care. Call (562) 427-8119 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Diagnosis

How we find it

The combination of your symptoms, the examination and an MRI confirms which disc is responsible.

01/Listen
Where it travels
The path of pain and tingling down the arm points to a specific nerve root.
02/Examine
Neurological examination
Strength, reflexes and sensation in each nerve distribution, plus tests that reproduce the arm pain.
03/Image
MRI
Shows the herniation and how much it is pressing on the nerve or cord. X rays check alignment.
04/Plan
Match the picture to the pain
Dr. Bhalla treats the disc that explains your symptoms, not every change on the scan.

Treatment

How it is treated

Most cervical herniations improve within six to twelve weeks with conservative care. Surgery is for persistent arm pain, progressive weakness or pressure on the spinal cord.

First: without surgery

Where almost everyone starts

Short period of relative rest, then gentle movement
Physical therapy for posture, mobility and strength
Anti inflammatory medication or a short steroid course
Nerve pain medication for arm symptoms
Epidural steroid injection for stubborn arm pain

When needed: surgery

The least invasive option that will work

Cervical disc replacement to remove the herniation and keep motion
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
Posterior foraminotomy for a side herniation, through a small incision
Outpatient surgery in most cases, with a short recovery

Everyday care

Helping your neck heal

While the disc settles, these steps ease pressure on the nerve and reduce the chance of another flare.

01Bring screens up to eye level and keep your ears over your shoulders.
02Take short movement breaks every 30 to 45 minutes.
03Sleep on your back or side with a pillow that keeps your neck level.
04Avoid heavy overhead lifting and carrying bags on one shoulder during a flare.
05Strengthen the deep neck and upper back muscles once pain allows.
06Stop smoking to give the disc the best chance to heal.

Questions

Things patients ask about cervical herniated disc.

If your question is not here, call the office. We are happy to talk it through.

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Will the herniated disc go back in?

Not exactly, but the body gradually breaks down and absorbs the herniated material, and the pressure on the nerve eases. Most people improve substantially within a few months.

When is surgery needed?

When arm pain remains severe after six to twelve weeks of good conservative care, when weakness is progressing, or when the disc is compressing the spinal cord. Dr. Bhalla will explain which applies to you.

Disc replacement or fusion?

Both relieve nerve pressure. Disc replacement keeps the level moving and protects the discs above and below, and it is Dr. Bhalla's preference for suitable patients. Fusion remains the right choice for some anatomies and for instability.

How long is recovery from surgery?

Arm pain usually eases within days. Most patients go home the same day, return to desk work within one to two weeks and to full activity within six to twelve weeks.

Near you

Cervical herniated disc treatment in Long Beach, CA

If you are living with cervical herniated disc in Long Beach or a nearby city, Dr. Bhalla can examine you, explain your options and plan the least invasive treatment that will work. Dr. Bhalla leads the Spine Center at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.

Most people start with a consultation and imaging. Patients come from Signal Hill, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Orange County and across Southern California.