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• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
• Cervical and Lumbar Disc Disease
• Anterior Cervical Discectomy
• Artificial Disc Replacement
• Spinal Instability
• Spinal Fusion Description
• Spine Fractures
• Cervical Spinal Stenosis
• Cervical Laminoplasty
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
• Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
• Brain and Spinal tumors
• Cerebrovascular Disease
• Arteriovenous Malformations
• Aneurysms
• Chiari Malformations
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Anterior Cervical Discectomy/Fusion

Anterior Cervical DiscectomyNeck pain and the symptoms caused by a herniated disc are common problems for many adults. The neck is composed of many different anatomic structures, including muscles, bones, ligaments, and joints. Each of these structures has nerve endings that can detect painful problems when they occur.

DEFINITION
The tissues between the bones in your neck is called intervertebral discs. The discs are composed of a soft gel-like center and a tough outer lining. The intervertebral disc creates a joint between each of the bones in the spine that allows them to move. When the outer lining that surrounds a disc tears, the soft center can squeeze out through the opening, creating a herniated disc.

CAUSES
As we age, the discs in our spine can lose their flexibility and elasticity. The ligaments surrounding the discs become brittle and are more easily torn. When a herniated disc occurs, it can put pressure on nearby spinal nerves (radiculopathy) or the spinal cord (myelopathy), causing painful symptoms.

SYMPTOMS
A herniated disc in the neck can cause neck pain, radiating arm pain, shoulder pain, and numbness or tingling in the arm or hand. The quality and type of pain can vary from dull, aching, and difficult to localize to sharp, burning, and easy to pinpoint.

Pain in your arms as well as in your neck is usually the first sign that your nerve roots are irritated by a problem in your neck. Symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and especially weakness in the muscles of your arms, are warning signs that your problem may be more serious. Weakness in your arms is a definite sign that you should see a doctor about your neck pain.

RISK FACTORS
The aging process and wear and tear on your spine can cause a herniated disc in the neck. A herniated disc can also be caused by repetitive activities or an injury to the spine.

DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis of a herniated disc begins with a complete physical examination of the neck, arms, and lower extremities. Dr. Moza, a Ventura County back surgeon, will examine your neck for flexibility, range of motion, and signs that suggest that your nerve roots or spinal cord are affected by a herniated disc. You may be asked to fill out a diagram that asks where your symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness are occurring. X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be ordered.

Although it's a normal part of the aging process, degenerative spinal conditions, such as a herniated disc, can cause neck pain and other symptoms. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options, such as artificial disc replacement, that help provide relief and keep you active.

CONSERVATIVE CARE
Not all patients with neck pain require surgery. In fact, more than 95% find symptom relief through non-surgical therapies such as exercise, medication, physical therapy, and chiropractic care.

SPINAL FUSION SURGERY
Traditionally, a procedure called a spinal fusion has been the gold standard for surgically treating degenerative conditions in the cervical spine. Using bone grafts and instrumentation such as metal plates and screws, this procedure fuses, or creates a bond between, two or more adjacent vertebrae. This will ideally stabilize the spine and provide pain relief. Many patients have achieved excellent results with spinal fusion. However, a potential disadvantage associated with this type of spine surgery is the loss of motion and flexibility in the treated vertebral segment.