Cervical discectomy is surgery that allows the damaged part of the disc that is causing nerve impingement to be surgically removed. Discs are small fibrous rings located within the spine; Its function is to provide support, cushioning and separate each of the vertebrae so that they do not rub against each other.
Herniated discs and bone spurs can compress and irritate the cervical nerve root, causing symptoms such as pain, weakness, tingling and numbness both in the neck and radiating to the shoulders, arms, hands and fingertips.
Most of the symptoms linked to a cervical disc herniation disappear with conservative treatments (anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy, cervical traction, changes in activity, injections into the spine, exercises, among others).
However, when the patient experiences intense symptoms that do not improve with initial treatment and that progressively cause a disability, the specialist may recommend cervical discectomy as a reliable solution.
In cervical discectomy, general anesthesia is administered so that the patient is unconscious during the procedure. The goal of surgery is to specifically remove the portion of the disc that is pressing on the cervical nerve, or failing that, replace the entire portion of the disc.
Cervical discectomy can be performed with two types of approach: Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (FACD) and Posterior Discectomy. The details of these techniques will be expanded below…
We can say that this is the most commonly used surgical method for the treatment of a cervical disc herniation. In this procedure, the surgeon makes a minimal incision in the front of the neck to remove the affected part of the disc with special instruments; Subsequently, the empty space is filled by placing a bone graft and the vertebrae located above and below the disc are fused with metal plates and screws.
This type of procedure is very similar to posterior lumbar discectomy, since in both cases, the incision is made directly on the spine. Although it is a less common option, it may be reasonable when the cervical disc disease points to the lateral area of the intervertebral foramen.
Posterior cervical discectomy has a much higher level of technical difficulty than the previous one; This is because in this area there is a large number of veins that can cause bleeding and make it difficult for the surgeon to see.
Similarly, very good results can be obtained in the resection of herniated cervical discs, treatment of tumors, myelopathies, among others.
If you want to increase the chances of your surgery being successful, follow these steps:
Give up smoking and alcoholic beverages for a while: Non-smokers have a much lower percentage of complications associated with surgery. Additionally, it is proven that these substances slow down bone fusion and healing.
Talk to your doctor about daily medications: Some drugs such as aspirin, blood thinners, and anti-inflammatories can be counterproductive for surgery; The specialist will let you know which of them you can continue taking and which ones you should stop.
Follow medical instructions: Take into account the recommendations given by your treating doctor (food, medications, activities, etc.) both in the days prior to the intervention and on the day of the surgery itself.
In this segment, we gather the main questions about cervical discectomy and give concrete answers to each of them….
After surgery you will need to rest until the bone graft is solidly fixed, this period can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months depending on the number of discs that were treated during the procedure.
For your safety, be sure to take painkillers in a controlled manner by considering medical instructions; Avoid using anti-inflammatories in any way as these tend to slow down bone healing.
Chances are, you’ll be able to resume your usual activities in a few weeks; however, you will need to wait for the doctor’s approval to do so.
Below, we will point out the possible consequences of a cervical discectomy according to the type of approach applied:
Any surgical procedure that requires one or more incisions will inevitably leave a mark on the skin. In the case of cervical discectomy, the position of the scar is different for each approach…
In anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, an incision is made in the anterolateral part of the neck, which leaves a visible horizontal scar when the wound is sutured.
As the name implies, in this surgery the incision is made in the back of the neck; The cut goes lengthwise and is usually much longer and steeper than in the previous approach.
Your doctor will advise you when to return to work; If your work is physically exhausting, the time off can take around 6 months, ensuring that the bone heals as well as possible. If your work is spent most of your time behind a desk, you will have the opportunity to return in a couple of months.
The most prudent thing to do is to wait for your doctor’s prognosis after assessing your evolution in a face-to-face consultation.
Cervical discectomy usually takes a total of 1 to 2 hours; however, this time can be extended if multiple damaged discs are to be treated at once. This estimate applies to both anterior and posterior cervical discectomy.
In the weeks following surgery, you will feel the sensation of pain, weakness, and numbness along the pinched nerve improve. When you leave the health center and are back home, keep the following care in mind:
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