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.