Experts at Performing Cervical Disc Surgery in Raleigh, North Carolina
What Can Cervical Disc Surgery Treat?
One of the most common cervical spine problems is a damaged disc. A disc can be injured by a sudden movement (when it herniates), or it can wear out gradually (when it degenerates). A worn-out disc can become so flat that the vertebrae above and below it touch or slip back and forth. As discs wear out, abnormal bone growths (bone spurs) can form on the vertebrae and in the foramina, causing narrowing (stenosis).
Hear from patients who’ve been successfully treated for herniated disc at Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic.
What Can I Expect from Cervical Disc Surgery?
Most cervical disc problems improve with conservative care. However, many patients find their pain and weakness relieved only after cervical disc surgery.
Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic’s neurosurgeons are experts in using cervical disc surgery to treat damaged discs. We’ll work with you to recommend the approach that best fits your situation, and the one that we think will provide the best results.
During surgery, your doctor may remove all or part of the disc that is causing your problem. This is called a discectomy. There may also be bone spurs pressing on the nerves or spinal cord that have to be removed as well.
Your surgeon will access the cervical spine from either the front (anterior approach) or the back (posterior approach) of the neck. With the anterior approach the physician may also perform a fusion in order to add stability to the neck.
Surgery does have its limitations—it can’t remove all the effects of overuse or aging, and it does have risks.
What Can I Expect After Cervical Disc Surgery?
You and your surgeon will continue to work together during your recovery. Before you leave the hospital, your surgeon may schedule follow-up visits with you so he or she can evaluate your progress, advise you about your activity level, and adjust any medications, if necessary. Your doctor may also recommend follow-up tests to make sure you are healing properly.
Make an Appointment
To have one of our neurosurgeons assess your pain and see if you might be a good candidate for cervical disc surgery:
Make an appointment today!