Cervical intervertebral disc disease accounts for 36% of all spinal intervertebral disc disease, second only to lumbar disc disease, which accounts for 62% of all spinal intervertebral disc disease. Cervical problems tend to be less debilitating than lumbar problems, and they do not cause individuals to miss work as often as lumbar spine problems do.
One of 5 visits to an orthopedic practice is for cervical discogenic pain (CDP), with C5-6 and C6-7 accounting for approximately 75% of visits. C7 is the most common nerve root involved. Cervical discogenic pain syndrome (CDPS) presents with proximal symptoms first, and, later, it can progress to brachialgia.