Herniated Cervical Disc
with Radiculopathy

CARE YOU CAN TRUST.
https://2b665a.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/services_01.jpg?time=1710777306

An aching neck can range from general discomfort to debilitating. In many cases, neck pain goes away as we gently move about our day or apply heat via a heating or hot shower. However, if you have a herniated cervical disc with radiculopathy, this is not the case. The pain and lack of mobility linger, which can impede every day activities.

What is it?

The neck is a surprisingly delicate part of the spinal column, given the hard work it does every day. Not only does it hold up the varying weight of our heads (depending on where we carry it), but it also swivels and moves with agility.

These seven cervical vertebrae are assisted in this movement by intervertebral discs. These discs have a flexible but hard outer cover filled with a gel-like fluid (almost like a filled jelly doughnut). These discs provide cushioning between vertebrae to protect the bones from each other and the nerves of the spine from the bones.

When these discs become damaged, though, they can begin to leak the gel-like fluid, gradually (or instantly, in the case of accident or trauma) decreasing the space between the vertebrae. Once this space is gone, the area of the spinal column narrows, and the vertebrae can begin to rub on the nerves inside. This herniated disc can result in cervical radiculopathy, a radiating pain that is caused by the pressure on the nerve.

Do I have cervical radiculopathy?

If your neck pain is not caused by an accident or other trauma, early symptoms may just seem like you slept wrong or you maybe strained a muscle in your neck. You may experience soreness and tightness and possibly lose some mobility due to pain.

As the disc completes the process of herniation, though, symptoms will become more extreme.

They can include the following:

  • Pain that travels (radiates) down the arm into the hand

  • A tingling feeling of “pins and needles” in the fingers or hand

  • Weakness in the muscles of the arm, shoulder, or hand

  • Loss of sensation

  • Sharp pain upon movement

  • Pain that decreases when hands are placed on top of the head

These symptoms may come and go until the herniation of the disc is complete, at which point they may become so severe as to limit daily activity.

Our approach to cervical herniated disc treatment.

It’s important to try a conservative, nonsurgical approach to cervical radiculopathy treatment first. Physical therapy can help to separate the vertebrae and create the muscle support to make space in the spine. In some cases, injections can help facilitate this too, temporarily relieving pain while a patient begins physical therapy. A soft surgical collar, combined with the passage of time, can also help relieve pressure and restore the health of the discs.

If you are among the 10% of patients for whom more conservative treatments do not work, you do have surgical options:

SPINAL FUSION

Spinal fusion is a surgical technique that may help when other conservative treatment approaches have failed for severe forms of pain.

For cervical radiculopathy, your surgeon removes the herniated disc and uses a bone graft to replace it. Special hardware holds the vertebrae in place while they heal, giving the bones time to come together.

SPINAL CORD DECOMPRESSION SURGERY

When cervical myelopathy is causing painful pressure on the nerves, spinal cord decompression surgery can create space between your vertebrae.

Opening up this space relieves painful pressure on the spinal cord. Your surgeon may perform spinal fusion at this time for increased stability, too.

ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY AND FUSION

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a procedure that removes what remains of the damaged disc and fuses at least two of the cervical vertebrae together to provide more stability and decrease (or eliminate) pain.

To access the cervical vertebrae, your doctor will make a small incision in the throat. This is a safer way to perform cervical fusion because operating in the back of the neck can damage neck muscles or the spinal column itself. Moving the neck tissue aside, your surgeon then removes the damaged disc. A spinal fusion is also usually performed to increase stability in the neck and prevent re-injury.

Cervical Disc Recovery Time

Recovery time from these surgeries vary from patient to patient. Yours will depend on your age, overall physical health, and compliance with aftercare instructions.

Patients are typically sent home from surgery with a brace for support and a short-term prescription for pain medication. There may also be a prescription for physical therapy and exercise. In general, you can expect to return gradually to normal activities after two weeks, gently easing into more strenuous work or exercise only when approved to do so by your doctor.

For procedures with bone grafting, expect full recovery time to take somewhere between two and four months. Give yourself the best chance at this shorter recovery time by diligently following all of your doctor’s recovery instructions. This also means taking good care of yourself with proper diet and abstaining from smoking or excessive alcohol use.

How We Can Help

anterior cervical
Approach

If severe pain in your neck is impacting your life, North Texas Neurosurgical Consultants offers the best possible solution. We are here to ensure you receive the best care possible with the best results possible.

Dr. Rosenstein and our esteemed team, headquartered in the heart of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, extend our dedicated services not only to our local Texan community but also to patients spanning the entirety of the United States.

If you are ready to work with one of the top neurosurgeons in Texas, contact us today 817-467-5551.