Neck pain can be debilitating, and it affects millions of Americans each year. Often, neck pain is associated with strains to the soft tissues and muscles in the neck, but more severe forms of neck pain may result from a spinal condition that rest alone may not resolve.
Doctors will work with neck and back pain patients through a series of conservative methods including physical therapy and pain management with medication, but if these approaches do not provide long-term relief, then surgery may be the most appropriate course of action for positive results. Fortunately, there are a number of minimally invasive surgical procedures that can help to fix the issues causing neck pain. One of these procedures is an anterior endoscopic cervical microdiscectomy.
Understanding Anterior Endoscopic Cervical Microdiscectomy
Anterior endoscopic cervical microdiscectomy is a form of disc surgery that is minimally invasive and highly effective. This procedure removes a portion of the problem disc, which reduces pressure on the local nerves while bypassing the need for a spinal fusion. This procedure is performed entirely through an endoscopic tube that houses a camera for the surgeon to view the area, as well as to accommodate small tools through the tube to perform the actual surgery. As a result, the incision is only as large as the tube and eliminates the need for large incisions.
Is Anterior Endoscopic Cervical Microdiscectomy Right For You?
An anterior endoscopic cervical microdiscectomy is typical for people who suffer from herniated discs in their neck, otherwise known as the cervical spine. When the bulging disc puts pressure on the spine, it pinches nerves in the area and sends pain signals to the brain nearly continuously. If the herniation is not too bad, then the surgeon can remove a portion of the disc using this method.
When a full disc is removed from the spine, the surrounding vertebrae lose substantial support that the disc once provided, requiring an additional procedure known as a spinal fusion. In this procedure, the surgeon will insert a small cage between the vertebrae that the bone will grow on top of. Fortunately, this is not required for an anterior endoscopic cervical microdiscectomy since there is still enough disc remaining to provide support.
Benefits of Anterior Endoscopic Cervical Microdiscectomy
As mentioned above, an anterior endoscopic cervical microdiscectomy does not require a spinal fusion since there is enough disc remaining to support the surrounding vertebrae. Spinal fusions can limit the range of motion in the spine, which is often an acceptable side effect to eliminate chronic back pain, but great to avoid if possible.
In addition to avoiding a secondary procedure, this process is minimally invasive, which reduces recovery time and associated risks like nerve and muscle damage at the incision site. Minimally invasive procedures such as anterior endoscopic cervical microdiscectomy often allow a patient to return home on the same day as the surgery and do not require immobilization throughout the recovery process.
There are, of course, risks associated with any sort of medical procedure, including the risk of infection, spinal fluid and blood loss, clotting, or nerve damage, but these risks are reduced due to the minimally invasive nature of this surgery. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with an experienced and certified professional in your area.