Cervical disc disease –What it is?

Cervical disc disease refers to a chronic condition of the spine which affects many people.  In this condition, one of the spinal discs located in neck deteriorates over the period of time. There are different causes of cervical disc disease and varies from person to person. It is only after examining a patient that the spine or orthopedic surgeon recommends disc disease treatment for cervical region. 

Cervical disc disease is a very serious problem as these discs absorb shock. Thus, if they start losing their weight, they are no longer as effective in their job as they were supposed to be. The human brain will start perceiving that there is some kind of problem surfacing in the disc where it is occurring. It will soon start adding extra calcium deposits to the edges of the bone below and above the involved or affected disc.

If timely treatment is not started, then the condition will keep deteriorating each passing day.Bones will start developing bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, which are bony extensions which start coming off the edge of the affected bones. These bone spurs, over the period of time, will come together and unite the bones below and above the degenerating disc so as to provide some kind of stability.

Although soon you will start experiencing and noticing pain and discomfort, you do not pay much attention to this condition. As soon as you reach the point when your bones starts to fuse, your spine will start deteriorating at a much fast pace as the other joints of the spine below and above this fusion will start working extra hard for making up for the lack of motion in the damaged area.

Treatment options are many and vary from patient to patient. Atlanta’s leading and highly experienced spine surgeon, Dr. Erik Bendiks, starts treatment with medication and lifestyle changes. It is only when the patient does not respond to any of these treatments that he recommends cervical fusion. 

Cervical fusion surgery – Different methods of surgery

Cervical problems have become common in recent times. The reasons for it vary, however, often a poor lifestyle and aging are considered as the main culprit for the discomfort and pangs of pain that you experience in your spinal cords or nerves. Disc disease can also trigger pain in back. Important is to undergo disc disease treatment before conditions deteriorates further. After recommending lifestyle changes, physical therapy and other exercises, when a patient fails to respond to treatment, surgery is considered as the last resort.

Here you will get to know more about cervical fusion surgery

Cervical fusion surgery, medically known as arthrodesis, refers to a surgical procedure that unites or joints selected few bones in the cervical spine or neck. On the basis of the patient’s need, the surgeon recommends from different methods the one which best suits him or her.

•         Metal implants are used for holding the vertebrae together until new bones start growing between them.

•          The surgeon can remove spinal disc during the procedure and fuse adjacent vertebrae.            
•          Bones can be obtained from either bone bank or from any other part of your body. The obtained bone is used for making a bridge between vertebrae that are adjacent or next to each other. This new bone graft, in turn, stimulates growth of new bone. Surgeons can also make use of artificial material.            
•          As a matter of fact, an entire vertebra can be removed during the surgery, and spine then joined.               
•          Surgeon can screw metal plates into the bone, fusing adjacent vertebrae.

This type of surgery can be performed by making an incision on the back (posterior) or front (anterior) of the neck. Spine surgeon makes sure that the patient gets the most effective treatment after performing complete examination.  Dr. Erik Bendiks has experience and expertise in treating different types of back and neck problem. Owing to his qualifications and experience, he is counted among one of the most reliable and renowned spine surgeon in Atlanta.