Neck Surgery

Neck Surgery

Neck surgery is almost always considered an elective procedure. Only in cases of extreme cervical trauma will surgery become absolutely necessary, so it‘s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding whether neck surgery is worth it. Remember that most neck pain is caused by a muscle strain or a ligament sprain, injuries that will heal on their own over time. Even in cases of neck pain related to nerve compression caused by a degenerative spine condition such as osteoarthritis, surgery is usually considered a last resort.

Types of Open Neck Surgery

If a degenerative spine condition within the cervical (neck) region begins to cause chronic symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness, a doctor will likely recommend a regimen of conservative treatment that could include pain medication, exercise, behavior modification, and other methods. However, if chronic discomfort persists after several weeks or months of conservative treatment, surgery might become an option. The type of surgery to be performed depends on the particular condition. Types of open neck surgery include:

• Facetectomy – partial removal of the joints where the vertebrae meet, known as the facet joints.
• Laminectomy – removal of a bony plate that forms the back of the vertebral arch, the lamina.
• Laminoplasty – reshaping the lamina to allow more space for nerve roots.
• Discectomy – removal of an intervertebral disc, usually in cases of degenerative disc disease.
• Corpectomy – removal of the entire vertebral body, followed by replacement with metal or plastic hardware and/or intervertebral body fusion using bone graft material.

Minimally Invasive Neck Surgery

The procedures listed above are highly invasive, often involving the insertion of metal hardware to achieve permanent spinal fusion. Risks are high, hospitalization and general anesthesia are necessary, and recovery can take up to a year. If you are considering neck surgery but would like to avoid the risks and hassle inherent to highly invasive procedures, why not schedule a consultation with a member of the medical staff at Laser Spine Institute? Our orthopedic experts have helped tens of thousands of patients rediscover their lives without back and neck pain by performing minimally invasive, outpatient procedures using revolutionary endoscopic technology. Contact Laser Spine Institute to learn more, or for a complimentary review of an MRI or CT scan.