Your cervical spine is a versatile part of your body, responsible for neck movements, so it must provide an extensive range of motion and handle the compressive stress of holding up your head. The cervical disks in your neck are cushions that separate your vertebrae. They can become damaged over time, and you may need them to be replaced.
How Your Cervical Disks Become Damaged
Your cervical disks may become damaged from aging and age-related conditions like arthritis or degenerative disk disease You can also damage your cervical disks from an injury or accident, causing a herniated disk.
Non-surgical Options To Relieve Neck Pain From a Damaged Cervical Disk
You can try conservative treatments including ice, heat, rest, and wearing a neck brace. Your doctor might also recommend prescription medications, physical therapy, or steroid injections.
Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Disk Damage
You may have cervical disk damage if you experience moderate to severe pain in your neck, especially with movement. Other symptoms include feeling pain, numbness, or weakness radiating down your extremities.
When You Might Need Cervical Disk Replacement
You might need cervical disk replacement if:
- You’ve tried other conservative treatments and they haven’t worked
- You have severe neck pain that is coming from a damaged cervical disk
- You are having problems due to a pinched nerve in your neck or back
Beginning Treatment for a Cervical Disk Replacement
Your doctor will begin with a comprehensive medical examination, which may include an MRI or CT scan to look for signs of degenerative disk disease and damage.
How Cervical Disk Replacement Surgery Works
Your doctor will surgically remove the damaged disk by making a small incision. The new disk is then inserted into the space. Surgery restores the correct height between the vertebrae to take pressure off spinal nerves and relieve pain. Surgery also helps you regain a full range of motion.
Recovery From Cervical Disk Replacement
Surgery may be performed on an outpatient basis, and you will be on your feet within hours of the procedure. You may be able to resume driving and working in one to two weeks. You may be able to exercise at about six weeks after surgery.
To learn more about how cervical disk replacement surgery can help you, call Dr. Rajesh Bindal at Texas Spine & Neurosurgery Center in Sugar Land, TX. You can reach him in the office by calling (281) 313-0031, so call today.