Neck pain alone typically isn’t a neurosurgical problem, but it may be a symptom of a serious spine condition if you’re experiencing neck pain that:
- radiates down one or both of your arms
- is associated with weakness in one or both of your arms
- causes numbness or tingling in your arms or fingers
How we can treat your neck pain.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Conditions
When a disc herniates and tears, or the soft, jelly-like interior of the disc squeezes out, this places pressure on nerve roots and the spinal cord, resulting in pain in the neck and extremities.
Bone spurs, which form when the joints of the spine calcify, can also cause neck and arm pain.
Procedure
An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is an operation that relieves pressure on nerve roots and/or the spinal cord caused by a herniated disc or bone spurs.
A small incision is made near the front of the neck. The surgeon removes the disc to reach the compressed nerves, relieves pressure by removing the cause of the compression, and places a bone graft between the spinal vertebrae.
In most cases, a small metal plate is implanted to stabilize the spine during healing.
Most patients are discharged the same day as surgery or the following morning. Patients follow a specific post-operative/exercise plan to return to a normal life as soon as possible.
Technique
Minimally Invasive
Minimally invasive neurosurgery offers patients many advantages, including a smaller incision, less post-operative pain, reduced risk of surgical complications, and a faster recovery.
Schedule an Appointment
If you’re experiencing this type of neck pain, we can help bring you relief. For an appointment or more information, call (865) 331-2835.