Educational video describing disc herniation and neck pain of the cervical spine.
Cervical disc herniation occurs most frequently at the level of C6C7. It also occurs at C5C6. The patient complains of neck pain due to nerve root irritation with pain radiating to the ipsilateral upper extremity.
The patient will complain of numbness, paresthesia, and weakness. Coughing, sneezing and neck movement will increase the pain.
Examination of the patient is important. Each nerve involved will show its effect on the motor, power, sensation, and reflexes.
Herniated disc C3C4 bulge (affects C4 nerve root)
•C4 sensory
•The diaphragm is supplied largely by C4
Herniated disc C4C5 bulge ( affects nerve root C5)
•Sensory C5
•C5 biceps reflex
•Motor C5 deltoid, C5C6 elbow flexion
Herniated disc C5C6 bulge ( affects nerve root C6)
•Sensory C6
•C6 brachioradialis reflex
•C6 wrist extension (Extensor carpi radialis longus & brevis)
Herniated disc C6C7 bulge ( affects nerve root C7)
•Motor C7: elbow extension, wrist flexion, finger extension.
•Reflexes C7: triceps reflex
Herniated disc C7T1 bulge ( affects nerve root C8)
•Sensory C8
•C8 finger flexion
•No reflexes
Herniated disc T1T2 bulge ( affects nerve root T1)
•Sensory T1
•T1 interossei muscles
•No reflexes

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