Cervical
Is neck pain affecting your life?
The spine in your neck area is called the cervical spine and is made up of the first seven vertebrae in the spine, starting just below the skull and ending just above the thoracic spine (upper back). Your cervical spine is a lot more mobile than the other two sections, with the ability to turn in many different directions.
There are special openings, called vertebral foramen, in each vertebra of your cervical spine. These openings provide a passageway for the nerves which allow sensation and motion in the upper extremities.
Although your cervical spine is very flexible, it is also at risk for injury from strong, sudden movements, such as whiplash-type injuries. This is due in part to the limited number of muscles located in the cervical area, combined with the fact the cervical spine must support the weight of the head, which weighs an average of 10 – 13 pounds.
These factors, combined with the stressors placed on your neck through trauma or even just daily activities, place your cervical spine at risk for developing a number of painful conditions. Dr. Albano is an expert in many cervical procedures, with special expertise in artificial disc replacement, as well as joint fusion. Whenever possible, Dr. Albano will opt to preserve motion through disc replacement; however, some patients may require a joint fusion procedure. Which one Dr. Albano recommends depends on the patient’s individual condition, goals, and medical history.
Cervical Disc Arthroplasty
(Disc Replacement)
The best kind of surgery is no surgery at all, but for neck and arm pain that has failed nonoperative treatment, motion-sparing surgery such as cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) may be an excellent option. This procedure allows for continued motion in the spine, compared to fusion which restricts motion and can put strain on the rest of the neck.
Cervical disc arthroplasty is a type of joint replacement procedure in which Dr. Albano places an artificial disc in the space between the vertebrae after the damaged disc has been removed. He typically recommends cervical arthroplasty for patients who have disc herniation, neck injury, or degenerative disc disease causing chronic pain that hasn’t been relieved through non-surgical treatments.
Dr. Albano has the distinction of implanting the first Simplify Cervical Disc Arthroplasty in the country, and the practice is the number one user of disc arthroplasty in the state. Dr. Albano performs the procedure as an alternative to fusion surgery because it provides patients numerous benefits, including preserved motion. The procedure is designed to relieve the pressure on your spinal cord or nerves that are causing the pain, numbness, and weakness that can radiate to your shoulder, arm, and hand.
During the procedure, Dr. Albano removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial one, which is designed to replicate the natural motion of the spine. After he removes the damaged disc, he will smooth away any bone spurs and then place and anchor the artificial disc in the empty space that is left.
Cervical Arthrodesis
(Disc Fusion)
Cervical arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that fuses selected bones in the cervical spine (neck) to relieve pain and provide more stability. Also referred to as a cervical spine fusion, cervical arthrodesis permanently secures the joint in a fixed position. This means the joint will never bend again, but it effectively eliminates the pain generator resulting in dramatic pain relief.
Cervical arthrodesis can be performed either from the front of the neck (anterior cervical disc fusion) or the back (posterior cervical fusion), depending on the location of the damaged disc.
During the procedure, Dr. Albano will make a small incision through which he will remove the damaged disc. He then inserts a spacer to take the place of the disc. This allows the bone to set up a bridge – or fusion – between the bones. The spacer will heal to the vertebrae above and below, and the bones and spacer will become one. The goal of fusion is to eliminate potentially painful movement.
Other Cervical Specialties
- Cervical artificial disc replacement – Motion preservation
- Cervical foraminotomy – Cervical decompression
- Cervical Fusion
- Anterior cervical disc fusion (ACDF)
- Posterior cervical fusion
- Cervical laminectomy