A cervical spine surgery is an operation on the cervical spine, which in most cases is performed by a neurosurgeon or orthopedist. There are various clinical pictures that can lead to the necessity of a cervical spine surgery. In general, surgery is performed if, despite physiotherapy and other therapy methods, persistent pain in the neck or arms, sensation or numbness or movement restrictions remain. These symptoms can be caused, for example, by a slipped disc in the cervical spine, by fractures of the cervical vertebrae, or by injuries to the cervical spine as a result of accidents.
Stiffening of the cervical spine
The stiffening of a part of the cervical spine is one of the last remedies for particularly severe symptoms and diseases. The space between two or more vertebrae is surgically stiffened, which means that no movement can take place between these vertebrae. This is intended to alleviate the pain and in the best case to achieve freedom from pain.
Slipped disc
A slipped disc in the cervical spine is usually caused by degradation and wear and tear of the disc. The inner, gelatinous part of the intervertebral disc pushes itself outwards, usually backwards towards the neck. There, the prolapsed disc can press on the nerve fibers that pull into the arm, or constrict the canal that contains the spinal cord.
As a result, pain in the shoulder and neck area, sensations of discomfort, paralysis of the musculature, tingling sensations in the hand or “falling asleep” of the arm can occur. If these symptoms persist for weeks and a conservative therapy is not successful, a cervical spine surgery is necessary to prevent permanent damage to the nerves. In cervical spine surgery, the surgeon removes the part of the disc that is pressing on the nerves or removes it completely.
A prosthesis or intervertebral disc implant can then be inserted as a placeholder. As a result, pain in the shoulder and neck area, sensations of discomfort, paralysis of the musculature, tingling sensations in the hand or “falling asleep” of the arm can occur. If these symptoms persist for weeks and a conservative therapy is not successful, a cervical spine surgery is necessary to prevent permanent damage to the nerves. In cervical spine surgery, the surgeon removes the part of the disc that is pressing on the nerves or removes it completely. A prosthesis or intervertebral disc implant can then be used as a placeholder.
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