A pinched nerve, also known as nerve compression, nerve impingement, or cervical radiculopathy, occurs when pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues. This pressure can disrupt the normal function of the nerve, leading to a wide range of symptoms. Pinched nerves can happen in various parts of the body, including the neck, middle back, lower back, shoulders, arms, wrists, and legs.

When a nerve is pinched, it may become irritated or inflamed, leading to sensations such as:

• Pain may appear as a sharp, shooting, or radiating pain that follows the path of the affected nerve
• Tingling, similar to a “pins and needles” sensation
• Numbness, either partial or complete in the area served by the nerve
• Weakness in the muscles that the affected nerve controls
• Burning along the nerve’s path
• Muscle spasms in the area of the affected nerve

One of the most common causes of a pinched nerve in the neck is a herniated or bulging disc. When a disc becomes herniated, its inner material can leak and press against a nerve root, leading to compression. Other factors that can cause a pinched nerve in the neck include:

• Degenerative changes: With age, the discs in your spine start to naturally deteriorate, leading to thinning discs and the development of bone spurs. These changes can contribute to nerve compression in the neck
• Stenosis: When the spinal canal begins to narrow due to spinal stenosis, pressure is put on the spinal cord and nerve roots
• Poor posture: Slouching or hung over while using electronic devices or working at a computer can strain the neck muscles and lead to nerve compression
• Injury or trauma: Events like accidents, falls, or sudden impacts to the neck and cause structural changes in the spine, resulting in nerve compression
• Repetitive movements or overuse: Certain sports or occupations may require repetitive motions that strain the neck. This can lead to inflammation and nerve compression

If you experience a pinched nerve in the neck, there are several treatment options available to help alleviate your discomfort. For home treatment of a pinched nerve, you can try the following options:

• Rest and avoid activities that worsen the symptoms
• Apply ice packs to numb the pain.
• Use heating pads, warm compresses, or moist heat to relieve tight and cramped muscles
• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Perform careful movements of the arms and neck to maintain flexibility without worsening the pain

In certain cases, your doctor may prescribe the following:

• Stronger pain relievers if the discomfort is severe
• Muscle relaxants to reduce nerve compression
• Short-term oral corticosteroids to reduce swelling
• Steroid injections directly at the site of pain to reduce swelling and provide pain relief
• A cervical collar allows the muscles to relax and limits neck movement
• Physical therapy includes therapeutic massage, improve flexibility and range of motion, and strengthen the neck muscles

If the pain persists for several weeks or months despite these pinched nerve neck treatments, you should consult with a spine specialist for further evaluation. Dr. Gottlieb and his team can determine if your condition requires more aggressive treatment, like spine surgery.

Surgery is typically only considered as a pinched nerve in neck treatment when conservative techniques have not provided sufficient relief, or if the compression is so severe it is causing persistent symptoms of neurological deficits. The goal of pinched nerve surgery is to alleviate pressure on the compressed nerve and provide long-term relief.

Dr. Jamie Gottlieb performs several procedures aimed at relieving pain from a pinched nerve in the neck, including:

• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF): In this two-step procedure, Dr. Gottlieb removes the damaged disc that is pressing on the nerve. He uses a bone graft to fill the space left behind by the disc removal. The bone graft and adjacent vertebrae fuse over time, reducing movement and increasing stability.
• Foraminotomy: This surgery involves removing a portion of the bone and other tissues that are causing nerve compression in the cervical foramen. The foramen is the bony tunnel through which the nerve exits the spinal column. By enlarging the foramen, more space is created for the nerve to pass through and relieves any compression.
• Cervical Laminectomy: A laminectomy involves removing a part of the lamina to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. Dr. Gottlieb will often choose this procedure is spinal stenosis the cause of the pinched nerve
• Microdiscectomy: A portion of the herniated disc causing nerve compression is removed.
• Corpectomy: In cases where there is significant compression due to multiple herniated discs or bone spurs, Dr. Gottlieb may elect to perform a corpectomy. This involves removing the vertebral body and adjacent discs to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.