The two most common causes of neck and back pain

An increasing number of people across the globe are complaining of neck and back pain. There are several contributing factors to this condition. However, it is extremely crucial to identify the right cause of pain and discomfort.  Cervical degenerative disc disease and cervical disc herniation often trigger pain in neck, back and arms. Your chosen orthopedic surgeon would perform a series of tests to identify the exact cause.  Dr. Erik Bendiks make sure that patients visiting him get the best available treatment for their condition.

The most common cause of neck pain is cervical disc degeneration. It is most frequently felt as if the neck has become stiff. Cervical degenerative disc disease is relatively less common in comparison to the problem of disc degeneration in the lumbar spine as the neck is gradually subjected to far less force and torque. Nonetheless, a twist or fall injury to the disc space can spur degeneration. Also accumulated wear and tear which happen to the discover the period of time can also trigger neck pain by disc degeneration.

                                                     Cervical Herniated Disc 

Cervical disc herniation can be diagnosed when the inner part of disc in the neck leaks outside the disc or herniates, and pressed adjacent nerve root. Cervical herniated disc disease is a condition which is found in people between thirty and fifty years of age. While cervical disc herniation might trigger from any kind of neck injury or trauma, the related symptoms start spontaneously.

The pain, arm consequential cervical disc herniation occurs because the herniated disc material presses or pinches on a cervical nerve leading to pain which radiates along nerve pathway right down the arm.Arm pain is often accompanied by tingling and numbness down the arm and right into the fingertips. Some people also weakness in muscles.  Treatment will be recommended after certain tests. 

Cervical Fusion Surgery – Solution for neck problems

Have you been recommended cervical fusion surgery? Are you worried due to lack of knowledge on the subject? Spinal surgeries are of two types – lumbar fusion and cervical fusion. The surgeon chooses the one after examining a patient and his current condition. Here is quick guide to cervical fusion surgery.

What to expect after surgery

You might have to stay in hospital for a few days. There is very possibly you might be asked to wear a brace on neck during recuperation.

Reasons for doing cervical spinal fusion

It is performed due to the following reasons.

1.               For treating conditions like misalignment of the vertebrae
2.             To treat an injury to the spine, for stabilizing and protecting neck; and preventing a bone fracture from causing damage or instability to the spinal cord which lead to paralysis
3.         As a follow-up procedure for treating the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, spinal deformities, a herniated disc, tumors, spinal stenosis and an infection.

How well the procedure works

It is often that spinal fusion surgery is required for keeping the spine stable after a tumor, infection or injury.

When you start experiencing symptoms such as weakness or numbness in the arm indicating that a problem in the neck is causing radiculopathy that is pinched nerve, surgery is the only option to feel better. However, it is equally important for you to know that the results of surgery depend on the surgeon you choose. Do proper research when looking for a spine surgeon.   

Schedule an appointment with an experienced and skilled spine surgeon such as Dr. Erik Bendiks who has been performing spinal surgeries for more than a decade. He is a pioneer when it comes to treating problems related to neck and back. An experienced and skilled surgeon will share with you all advantages and risks associated with the cervical fusion so that you can make a well-informed decision. 

Cervical and lumbar fusion surgeries

Cervical fusion of a spine refers to a surgery which aims at joining selected bones in the cervical spine, also known as neck. There are different methods to perform this surgery.

•          Metal plates can be inserted into the bone, thus joining adjacent vertebrae.
•         The surgeon can remove spinal disc fusing adjacent vertebrae.
•       Bone can be obtained from a bone bank or from any other part of your body for creating a bridge between vertebrae that are adjacent to each other. This bone graft, in turn, stimulates the growth of new and healthy bone. Often surgeons also use artificial fusion.
•  The  Surgeon can remove entire vertebrae then fuse adjacent vertebrae
• Metal plates are used for holding the vertebrae together in a place until the growth of new bones between them.  

Cervical fusion surgery is performed by a surgeon. An incision is made in the posterior (back) or anterior (front) of the neck. Those who undergo this surgery are required to stay at hospital for a few days. You might have to wear a brace on your cervical collar during recuperation.

Lumbar Fusion

Lumbar fusion surgery is performed for stopping the motion at an affected vertebral segment, which helps in decreeing the pain which triggers from the joint. There are different methods of performing this surgery involving following procedure.

•    The boney fusion –IN this surgery one fixed bone replaces a mobile joint further stopping the motion at the joint segment.
•     Adding bone graft to a spinal segment
•      Setting up a biological response which stimulates growth of bone graft between two vertebral elements creating a bone fusion

Following are the conditions in which lumbar fusion surgery is performed.

•         Lumbar spondylolisthesis
•          Lumbar degenerative disc disease

Make sure that you look for a skilled, board certified and experienced surgeon if you are considering undergoing either of the above slated surgeries. Dr. Erik Bendiks has been performing surgeries related to neck and back problems for a long time.