Anterior cervical discectomy surgery isn’t recommended for everyone. However, the procedure can improve your mobility, reduce discomfort, and ensure the long-term stability of your cervical spine.
What Is Anterior Cervical Discectomy Surgery?
Anterior cervical discectomy surgery describes how medical professionals surgically relieve undue pressure on a person’s spinal cord and nerves. This process can also be used to secure spinal disks and limit unwanted shifting.
The term “anterior” distinguishes this surgery from similar treatments. It indicates that medical professionals conduct this surgery by operating on the front of a person’s neck. Traditionally, spinal surgeries see professionals access the spine via the back of the neck.
Some medical professionals will use this process to align the spine, remove uncooperative disks, and fuse certain neck bones. The fusion of those bones increases the neck’s stability. Similarly, the alignment and removal processes can relieve stress on a person’s nerves.
The Benefits of Anterior Cervical Discectomy Surgery
Do you think you may benefit from anterior cervical discectomy surgery and fusion? The benefits range beyond reduced pain. This procedure makes it easier for the nerves in your spine to deliver signals to your arms, chest, and shoulders. That increased accessibility can improve or restore some of your lost dexterity.
This procedure can also help realign your spine. While not a recommended treatment for scoliosis or similar severe conditions, this treatment can compensate for disk irritation. In turn, your posture may improve as your pain reduces.
Medical Professionals Address Anterior Cervical Surgery With Your Pain in Mind
Medical professionals can recommend anterior cervical surgery for a myriad of reasons. This procedure reduces the amount of pain you have to endure, courtesy of uncooperative disks or pinched nerves. Moreover, though, the process of performing spinal surgery via the front of the neck reduces your post-treatment pain.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always easiest to access the spinal column from the back of the neck. Instead, medical professionals can often more easily reach the cervical spine, the neck, via the throat.
Combine this ease of access with incisions that are simpler to control, and patients tend to benefit from significantly reduced pain after their procedures. Similarly, recovery can take less time when medical professionals and patients have easier access to the aforementioned incisions.
What to Expect From Anterior Cervical Discectomy Surgery
As you prepare for anterior cervical discectomy surgery, you can expect to undergo anesthesia. Once medical professionals are prepared to proceed with the surgery, they can address your pain in four stages:
- Accessing your spinal cord via the front of your neck
- Removing any irritated or damaged spinal discs previously identified via X-Ray
- The continued removal of disc material, or cervical spine canal decompression
- The fusion of a bone graft with existing disks to encourage stability
Once medical professionals complete these stages, your surgery comes to an end. You’ll be taken to recovery and encouraged to wake up at your own pace. Afterward, a medical professional can discuss your essential care routine while scheduling future appointments to assess the surgery’s success.
When to Contact a Medical Professional About Your Spinal Health
The health of your spine impacts your ability to move, overcome pain, and meet your everyday needs. If you notice that something feels amiss in your neck, mid-back, or lower back, it’s time to consult with professionals. Orthopedic spine surgeons can preserve the functionality of your spine while reducing the amount of pain you’re in daily.
Spinal injuries don’t come out of nowhere, though. You may have a genetic predisposition to irritated spinal disks, for example. Alternatively, you may suffer pinched nerves or spinal damage after a severe accident.
In either of these cases, it’s important to be up-front with all medical professionals involved in your case. Give a team all the details you can about the condition of your spine. Teams can often ask leading questions to understand your symptoms better. Once we understand the pain you’re suffering, we can more effectively recommend treatment.
Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery Wants to Help You
Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery recognizes that your spinal condition is unique. Our treatment plans are subsequently designed to help each individual who comes to us better address their pain. When you consult with our team, you’ll benefit from an entirely individualized treatment plan, whether it recommends anterior cervical discectomy or hands-off treatment.
If you have questions about the state of your spine, reach out to our medical team. You can schedule an appointment via our contact form or by calling (866) 646-5090.