Cervical Disc Disease

Cervical Disc Disease

Cervical disc disease is common in both young and older adults. It appears due to the sudden jerk in the neck or due to the degeneration of spine. The symptoms might include pain in neck, shoulders and upper limbs, sometimes unable in moving the lower limbs due to spinal cord compression. The first step is an MRI to diagnose the cervical disc disease. The surgical procedure is only required when there is n relief from the non surgical treatments. Surgery is mainly done from the anterior of the neck. The operation is done by removal of the entire disc and replacing it with a spacer. The spacer can be patients own bone, Peek cage and Mesh cage with plates or an artificial disc. The success rate of such surgery is extremely good.

Diagnosis primarily involves an MRI scan to evaluate the extent of disc damage and spinal cord involvement. Surgery is generally considered only when nonsurgical treatments fail to provide relief or when neurological symptoms worsen. The most common surgical approach is performed from the front (anterior) of the neck. This procedure involves removing the entire affected disc and replacing it with a spacer. The spacer can be the patient’s own bone, a PEEK cage, a mesh cage with plates, or an artificial disc. The success rate of this surgery is very high.

Surgical Details and Outcomes

The anterior cervical discectomy involves a small incision in the front of the neck to access and remove the damaged disc. The spacer maintains spinal stability and helps restore normal motion. Patients typically experience significant pain relief and improved neurological function after surgery. Recovery varies but is generally favorable, with a focus on gradual rehabilitation and lifestyle modifications to support long-term spine health.

Frequently asked questions

01.What symptoms indicate cervical disc disease?

Neck pain, shoulder pain, arm weakness, numbness, and in severe cases, difficulty moving legs due to spinal cord compression.

02.How is cervical disc disease diagnosed?

MRI is the best imaging technique to assess disc degeneration and nerve or spinal cord involvement.

03.When is surgery needed?

Surgery is considered when conservative treatments fail or when neurological signs like weakness or numbness progress.

04.What surgical options are available?

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with various spacer options, including artificial discs, is the most common.

05.What is the success rate of cervical disc surgery?

Surgery has an excellent success rate in relieving pain and restoring neurological function.