Herniated Cervical Disc, Is Surgery Necessary?

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have a herniated cervical disc at c5/c6 with bone spurs as well. This causes pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm on the left side only. I am scheduled to have a fusion surgery, but what are the alternatives? Is it possible for the disc to heal itself with medication or therapy?

Dear Sarah: A herniated cervical disc is a serious condition. The pain you are experiencing occurs because the spine is not properly aligned with in the neck and this impinges on the nerves. Depending on the degree of herniation, non-surgical treatment is usually attempted first before surgery is considered. Given the fact that your doctor has suggested surgery I take it that the disc is severely herniated or you are in severe pain.

Non-surgical treatments are injections of steroids and painkillers directly into spine. However this only provides temporary relief and cannot be continued indefinitely. Another form of treatment involves a minor surgical procedure in which a laser is used to “burn” the nerves that are being affected and this often relieves pain. But again, it may not be permanent relief.  More often than not surgical fusion of the spine offers long lasting relief from the symptoms.