Cervical Discectomy

It is a surgery designed to relieve spinal cord pressure in the neck by removing all or part of a degenerative disc in the neck. The word Discectomy literally means “cutting out the disc.” This procedure starts with a one- to two-inch incision in the front of the neck to reach the front of the spine. The disc is removed and a graft is inserted to fuse together the bones above and below the disc.

The surgeon reaches the damaged disc from the front (anterior) of the spine through the throat area. By moving aside the neck muscles, trachea, and esophagus, the disc and bony vertebrae are exposed. Depending on your particular symptoms, one disc (single-level) or more (multi-level) may be removed. After the disc is removed, the space between the bony vertebrae is empty. To prevent the vertebrae from collapsing and rubbing together, a spacer bone graft is inserted to fill the open disc space. The graft serves as a bridge between the two vertebrae to create a spinal fusion. The bone graft and vertebrae are fixed in place with metal plates and screws. Bone grafts come from many sources. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Autograft bone comes from you and Allograft bone comes from a donor.

SYMPTOMS

• Significant weakness in your hand or arm
• Arm pain worse than neck pain
• Symptoms that have not improved with physical therapy or medication

HELPFUL IN THE TREATMENT OF –

• Bulging and herniated disc: The gel-like material within the disc can bulge or rupture through a weak area in the surrounding wall (annulus). Irritation and swelling occurs when this material squeezes out and painfully presses on a nerve.
• Degenerative disc disease: As discs naturally wear out, bone spurs form and the facet joints inflame. The discs dry out and shrink, losing their flexibility and cushioning properties.
• Canal stenosis or disc herniation

WHY TO CHOOSE CERVICAL DISCECTOMY SPINE SURGERY –

The major advantages of opting this surgery are –

• Direct access to the disc – The anterior approach allows direct visualization and access to the most of the cervical discs, which are usually involved in causing the stenosis, spinal cord or nerve compression, and symptoms. Removal of the discs results in direct nerve and spinal cord decompression.
• Minimal postoperative pain – Spine surgeons often prefer this approach because it provides access to the spine through a relatively uncomplicated pathway. The patient tends to have less incisional pain from this approach than from a posterior operation.