Anterior Cervical Discectomy, Decompression and Fusion for the Treatment of Pain, Weakness, Numbness and Tingling in the Neck and Arm caused by Radiculopathy or Myelopathy.
Last updated Tuesday, January 15, 2008
SummaryOverview Edited By: Michael J. Lee, M.D.,
Some
people experience a narrowing of the canal that surrounds the spine. This narrowing
condition, called stenosis, can emerge at any region of the spine, from the
cervical (neck) to the sacral (tailbone). In the cervical spine, stenosis creates
pressure that not only can inflame the spinal nerves but also can radiate pain to
a person’s arms and legs. Decompression and fusion surgery of the cervical
spine can relieve the pressure and reduce the pain.
Stenosis can
be an inherited condition, or can result from osteoarthritis or from a
herniated disc – one that bulges out from between a pair of vertebrae. These
disorders limit the space in which the spinal cord can flex, in turn compressing
the cord and its nerve roots. This resulting inflammatory reaction causes pain,
numbness, tingling, and weakness.
When a
nerve root or a branch off of the spinal cord is affected, the condition is
termed radiculopathy. Radiculopathy
can be treated with surgical and nonsurgical measures. When the condition
affects the spinal cord, it is termed myelopathy.
In general, myelopathy does not improve with nonsurgical treatment. In very
mild cases, myelopathy can be observed.
Radiculopathy
and myelopathy can be diagnosed with a physical exam. This diagnosis can be
further supported with imaging studies such as X-rays and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI).
Radiculopathy
can be successfully treated with therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and
steroid injections. If these nonsurgical efforts fail, surgery should be
considered. In general, the surgical goal is to relieve pain, and neurological
symptoms caused by the radiculopathy.
Myelopathy,
if symptomatic, is generally treated with surgical intervention. The surgeon’s goals
in treating myelopathy are to prevent progression of the condition and avoid further
neurological damage.
Surgical
treatment can be done from the posterior (back) of the neck or from the anterior
(front). This decision is affected by numerous factors including the nature of
the condition, the patient’s underlying alignment, the number of levels
affected, and more.
Anterior
cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) has been shown to be highly successful
in relieving symptoms of radiculopathy and halting the progression of
myelopathy. Surgery for Cervical Stenosis at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.
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