There are various causes of neck pain and instability that could be treated by a posterior cervical discectomy. This operation is performed under general anaesthesia and can provide relief from chronic pain. In this article, you will find all the details about the anterior cervical discectomy procedure, which will help you in getting better insight into anterior cervical discectomy.
What is Anterior Cervical Discectomy?
Anterior cervical discectomy is a surgical procedure in which the disc space between two vertebrae is removed by means of a small incision, and the disc material is removed through this same incision. The procedure can be performed with the patient in a prone position or sitting up.
Anterior cervical discectomy has been shown to be a viable option for treating some types of disc disease that have failed conservative treatment. It is also used as an alternative to fusion surgery when there are other medical conditions that need to be taken into consideration.
Who Needs Anterior Cervical Discectomy?
The anterior cervical discectomy is performed to treat the following conditions:
Bulging Discs
A herniated disc is a bulge or protrusion of the spinal disc out of its normal position. The displaced disc can cause pain in your neck and arms, as well as headaches and weakness in your legs.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative discs are caused by age, overuse, and injury, but they may also be the result of a fall or trauma to the spine. The degeneration leads to leakage between the gel-like material inside each disc and the fibrous outer covering. This leakage causes chronic inflammation and pain in your neck, arms, shoulders, and back.
The Procedure of Anterior Cervical Discectomy
The procedure of Anterior Cervical Discectomy is a surgical procedure that removes or relieves pain from the cervical spine. It is performed by an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating musculoskeletal problems. The procedure is usually done to treat symptoms caused by a herniated disc in the neck region.
The surgeon will numb your arm and place a needle into your back. They will then insert a tiny camera through this needle and attach it to a computer screen, which they can manipulate with their hands while watching images of your spine on the computer screen. They may also use ultrasound to help them see what they are doing inside your body.
Once he has made an incision in your skin, he will make another incision in your neck, just below where your shoulder meets your neck (this is called an atlanto-axial joint). Once the surgeon has removed all of the bone fragments that cause pain in your neck and moved them out of alignment with each other, he will close up these cuts with sutures (stitches).
What is the Recovery Time of the Anterior Cervical Discectomy Procedure?
The recovery time for the awake spinal fusion ACDF surgery procedure is 3-4 weeks. During this time, the patient is advised to refrain from any activity that requires twisting or bending of the neck, lifting heavy objects, and driving a car while still on pain medications.
The anterior cervical discectomy is a common surgery today wherein the surgeon removes the herniated disc material that is putting pressure on the nerve root, causing arm pain. Anterior cervical discectomy surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The anterior approach has been regarded as one of the most successful methods for enlarging the foramen allowing for better decompression of the vertebral column and spinal nerves.