What is Cervical Disc Herniation?
Cervical disc herniation is a degenerative condition where disc material protrudes and compresses a nerve in the neck leading to the arm.
The onset is often quite sudden and unpredictable.
What are the symptoms of Cervical Disc Herniation?
It is common for people just to wake up in the morning with a crick in their neck and then feel a sharp stabbing pain down the nerve in their arm.
Other symptoms include tingling, numbness and weakness in the arm or hand.
What causes Cervical Disc Herniation?
A gradual process of degenerative change in the spinal discs in the neck leading to weaking of the margin of the disc, allowing the contents to protrude.
Why have surgery?
Cervical disc herniation surgery is one of the most common spinal surgeries.
If the pain persists or deteriorates it can impact on your quality of life. Surgery will resolve that.
The surgical process
Surgery takes place under a full anaesthetic and requires admission to the hospital for three to four days.
- The incision is on the front of the neck, and the vertebrae are exposed by moving the throat one way and the carotid artery the other.
- Using an operating microscope, we then remove the intervertebral disk from the front towards the back.
- Once at the back we can see where the disc protrusion is and remove it. This gives us visibility of the coverings of the spinal cord and the previously compressed nerve. We ensure that it is completely free.
- Having achieved nerve decompression, we then replace the removed disc with either a fusion cage or a disc prosthesis.
The advantage of a disc prosthesis is that it allows movement in the neck at the level of the operation, which reduces the risk of degeneration in adjacent discs in the neck.
The immediate after-effects of surgery
There will be some discomfort in the neck so swallowing can be uncomfortable for a week or two.
Your recovery from CERVICAL disc herniation surgery
There is no specific rehabilitation required.
The neck-ache and throat discomfort can last two to six weeks, though it is variable depending upon individual patient experience.
Most people can go back to work after two weeks.
If you have any questions about cervical disc herniation and surgery, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Author:
Dr Ralph Stanford
Dr Stanford is a spinal surgeon with over 20 years’ experience. He is Head of Department of Orthopaedics at Prince of Wales Hospital and adept in all surgical approaches to successfully treat his patients.
Dedicated to lifelong learning, Ralph attends spinal conferences worldwide and regularly consults with colleagues about successful treatments.
He is also a current member of Spinal PFET and an active researcher in spine disorders.
If you have any questions he can be contacted on 02 9650 4893 or info@powspine.com.au.