Can cervical disc bulge lead to arm numbness?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

From your complaints it is clear that you are suffering from prolapsed intervertebral disc in cervical region. The prolapsed disc is compressing your spinal nerve roots of arm. I request you to kindly attach MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) images. Most likely it appears from your symptoms that you will need surgical decompression but nothing can be conclusively said without MRI images. Please mention your diabetic and cardiac profile too.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Thank you for providing images (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your MRI shows that the disc which had prolapsed is causing compression on your nerve roots. No need to worry. We have few modalities of treatment at our disposal. First, I would like to know few things from you, do you have any weakness or loss of power in your arm? Did you feel any difficulty in holding a pen or a spoon? And have you undergone any conservative treatment? Conservative treatment includes cervical traction, physiotherapy, short wave diathermy, cervical collar, analgesics and muscle relaxants. I would like to give you a course of two weeks of conservative treatment and observe your response. Even if there is 10 percent relief, I will continue with the same treatment. Surgical treatment is the last resort if all the above treatment fails. I have many patients who had similar complaints and have improved with conservative treatment. Your blood reports are within normal limits so even if you need surgery you can proceed. Surgical procedure involves removing disc and it has excellent prognosis. Recent trends are towards keyhole surgery with minimal incision.