Minor Injuries: Seeking Treatment in a Timely Manner

Cervical spondylosis is the natural part of the aging process. This condition occurs in 85 percent of people over the age of 60. It occurs from wear and tear of the bones and cartilage found in your neck.

Cervical spondylosis is often mistaken for arthritis. If your condition is symptomatic, then you should expect to feel neck pain and stiffness in your neck. Here is how to treat cervical spondylosis with anterior cervical discectomy.

When Should You Consider Surgery?

Surgery is recommended when your condition is not responding to traditional treatment. The type of surgery depends on the cause of your neck pain. An anterior cervical discectomy is used when extra bone or a slipped disc is pressing up against your nerve.

How Is The Surgery Performed?

This surgery is a two-part procedure, which consists of an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. A discectomy is done anywhere along the spine from your neck to your lumbar. Your surgeon makes an incision through the front of your neck. The disc or bone causing problems are removed through this incision.

What Happens To The Open Disc Space?

Removing the disc leaves an open space between your vertebrae. If this area is left open, then your vertebra will collapse and rub against each other. This is where part two of the surgery comes into play.

The empty space is filled using a spacer bone graft. The graft acts as a foundation between your two vertebrae to make a spinal fusion. After the surgery, your body must go through a natural healing process. This results in new bone cells growing around your graft.

What Should The Surgery Accomplish?

A doctor recommends an anterior cervical discectomy to alleviate your symptoms. Your discs start to break down from stress, strain, and aging. This deterioration reduces the amount of space between your two vertebrae. It also results in pressure being put on your nerves and spinal cord.

The symptoms are occurring because of your discs. The removal of the damaged disc should stop your symptoms.

Neck pain is a common condition. However, it is important to find out the reason for the pain. Finding the source of the pain helps with finding the best treatment. You should not allow this condition to go untreated. It helps you to stop worrying by going to see a doctor. A doctor like Physical Therapy at ACAC can examine you and give a diagnosis.