Cervical discectomy is the removal of a herniated disc from the cervical spine, which is located in the neck area. This type of procedure uses a laminotomy, which involves the removal of ligament and bone from the spine.
Also Known As:
- Cervical disc surgery
- Back surgery
- Disc surgery
- Microdiscectomy
Conditions Treated with Cervical Discectomy:
Cervical discectomy is used to treat herniated discs, degenerative disc pain, spinal tumors, bone spurs, spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. It is also used to treat arthritis and pain in the shoulder or arm.
Non-surgical alternatives that may be attempted prior to cervical discectomy include pain relief medications, physical therapy, chemonucleolysis injections, or epidural injections. A surgical alternative to cervical discectomy is endoscopic cervical microdiscectomy.
Anesthesia with Cervical Discectomy:
Cervical discectomy is performed under general anesthesia, which means that the patient is asleep and completely unaware during the procedure.
Potential Complications from Cervical Discectomy:
Possible risks of cervical discectomy include bleeding, infection, blood clotting and a negative reaction to the anesthesia. It is also possible to experience complications like weakness in the arm or shoulder, nerve deterioration, and spinal fluid leaks.
Prognosis after Cervical Discectomy:
The prognosis for a positive end result following cervical discectomy is good. Pain relief is achieved in 85 to 90 percent of cases.
Recovery from Cervical Discectomy:
The total recovery time for cervical discectomy is two to four weeks.
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