Cervical spine surgery, also known as an anterior cervical discectomy and reconstruction, is designed to relieve pressure in the nerve roots or spinal cord and to stabilize the spine. This procedure may be necessary for patients diagnosed with cervical disc disease, cervical stenosis, radiculopathy or any other problems that affect the health of the spinal column and neck.
Reasons to Undergo Cervical Spine Surgery in Las Vegas
The spinal cord and nerves are supported by muscles and ligaments that are tightly attached to the vertebrae. If you are experiencing any problems in the neck, shoulders, arms, or hands, such as weakness, pain, or numbness, you may have been referred to a specialist to determine whether you have issues with the spine. Degeneration of the bones and joints of the cervical spine because of arthritis or the aging process can put you at risk for developing a number of issues that require cervical spine surgery. Trauma can also readily injure the spine and render one ultimately an appropriate candidate for surgery.
Some of the reasons why you may need to undergo surgery include:
- Internal disc disruption
- Spinal trauma
- Cervical stenosis – a condition where the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and/or nerve roots
- Cervical disc disease – disc generation and narrowing of the spinal canal
- Instability of the spinal column
- Cancer or infection that adversely affects spinal health
How Cervical Spine Surgery is Performed
If more conservative therapies and treatments are not working, cervical spine surgery may be a reasonable option. As long as one is in good health, cervical surgery is generally well tolerated without morbidity. This typically involves making a small incision to the anterior neck to remove the problematic disc and secondarily stabilize the spine with a titanium cage and plate.
Cervical Spine Surgery Recovery
Recovery is dependent upon the patient’s magnitude of disease and associated medical illnesses. Patients who undergo cervical spine surgery most commonly enjoy improvement of their clinical condition with functional improvement.
Schedule your consultation for cervical spine surgery in Las Vegas with one of our surgeons today!
