Why do people get cervical disc herniation (spinal canal stenosis)?

Just like in the lower back, there are discs between the vertebrae in the cervical spine. Before the age of 20, these discs are elastic and stretchable, but over the years, their water content gradually decreases, and cracks may form in the disc's capsule (disc degeneration/age-related changes). In these cracks, parts of the disc's core may protrude as a herniation.

With advancing age, bone spurs may form on the vertebrae around the facet joints in the cervical spine. As the disc loses its elasticity, it can bulge into the spinal canal, potentially compressing the spinal cord and nerves.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms can vary. The most common is pain that radiates into the shoulder and arm, sometimes all the way to the hand. A sensation often described as akin to drinking carbonated beverages, and sometimes numbness in the arm, may also occur. Muscle weakness is less common but can occur. Neck pain is also a common symptom. It can be diffuse and sometimes felt more around the shoulder blade on the side where the pain is located.

What treatments are available?

Initially, cervical disc herniation is treated with pain medication. Physiotherapy may also relieve symptoms in some cases. If there is no improvement within 2-3 months, an MRI of the cervical spine should be performed. If it shows a disc herniation or spinal canal stenosis and you also have arm pain, surgery may be considered. However, neck pain without radiating pain is not an indication for surgery. Depending on where the nerve root compression is located, the procedure in the cervical spine is performed either from the front or the back.

What can I expect from the results?

The results of the surgery are generally good. 70-80% of patients report being satisfied with the surgery at the 2-year follow-up according to the Swedish National Quality Registry for Spinal Surgery.

Are there any risks with the surgery?

The risk associated with the surgery is low, and the most common complication is a superficial wound infection treated with antibiotics. A rare complication is nerve damage, which can lead to various paralysis symptoms.

A clear risk factor that you can influence is smoking. If you are a smoker, you have a greater risk of complications such as infection and delayed healing. Quitting smoking significantly increases your chances of a successful treatment outcome.

How long is the hospital stay?

You will come to us on the morning of the surgery day. The hospital stay is usually about 1 day.

How long will I need to be off work?

The length of sick leave after surgery depends on your job, but it is usually 4-6 weeks.

What does rehabilitation involve?

After a cervical disc herniation surgery, it is important to start moving and try to return to your normal activities. As a natural part of your recovery, we also develop an individual rehabilitation plan tailored to your conditions. All our physiotherapists have extensive experience in treating, diagnosing, and rehabilitating back conditions and pain.

Is there anything I shouldn't do when I get home?

After the operation, you should avoid turning your head to its extreme positions for the first 6 weeks. Otherwise, there are no restrictions.