Cervical degenerative disc disease can develop as bones in the neck age and form bone spurs. These spurs then can pinch the spinal cord or other nerves. The result can be pain in the neck or arms and weakness in the arms and legs.

There are seven discs in your neck. These are called the cervical discs. Discs are doughnut-shaped, spongy cushions that fit between each vertebra to absorb shock and tie the vertebrae together to ease bending and twisting.

Norton Neuroscience Institute spine specialists are experienced in treating cervical degenerative disc disease.

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms

• Neck pain that’s typically low-grade with stiffness, but occasionally can be severe
• Sharp pain from the shoulder down into one arm, but sometimes both arms
• Numbness and tingling that radiates into the arms, hands and fingers; can interfere with daily activities, such as holding objects or dressing

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment

With a combination of nonsurgical, surgical and innovative techniques, we can help relieve neck and arm pain, allowing you to move more easily. If the bone spurs are pressing on the spinal cord, surgery may relieve the pressure and prevent symptoms from worsening.

Treatment options include:

• Observation is recommended for minor cervical degenerative disorders that aren’t getting worse or causing significant difficulties. Observation includes visits at regular intervals to ensure the condition isn’t progressing.
• Prescription medication can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy can improve symptoms.
• Injections can treat pain and reduce swelling.
• Severe cervical degenerative disc disease may be treated with surgery if the condition causes pain or weakness, or if it worsens.
• Surgical options include:
  • Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
  • Cervical disc replacement
  • Posterior cervical decompression and/or fusion