Edison is the fifth-most populous municipality in New Jersey. It was named after the famous inventor, Thomas Edison. Like many other places in the country, many people suffer from Edison cervical conditions linked to the neck region of the body like cervical stenosis, spinal tumors, and cervical sprains & strains. Most are caused by injuries, exposure to radiation, or tumors. Some forms of cervical conditions affect women only, while others can affect both men and women. The following are some of the treatment methods used to address cervical conditions:
Discectomy
A discectomy procedure involves removing a damaged or diseased spine section to relieve pressure and reduce pain. With this method, the surgeon removes the damaged portion of the cervical spine and replaces it with a prosthetic implant like a disk. Discectomy is also used to address herniated disks, those that have slipped out of place. Doctors usually recommend discectomy as a treatment option for patients who have tried conservative care treatments without relief from their symptoms. However, because this is a surgical procedure, it has a relatively high rate of recurrence. In some cases, patients can suffer from worsened pain or further injury once the surgery is over.
Artificial Disc Replacement
Permanent artificial disc replacement is a surgical technique used to treat chronic pain from cervical spine injuries. In 2006, the FDA approved the first of these devices called ProDisc-C. The prosthetic discs were made by Synthes and designed to replace damaged discs in the cervical region of the spine. Disc replacements are ideal treatment options for patients who have tried conservative care treatments and still suffer from severe pain. Additionally, the FDA considers artificial disc replacement a safer alternative to discectomy because it does not involve surgical removal of the vertebrae.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Cervical spine surgeries that do not require open surgery are categorized as minimally invasive spine surgeries. The procedure can be done from a small incision, via a tube, or through video instruments. While the goal is to reduce pain and improve function, minimally invasive spine surgery carries risks like nerve damage or puncturing the brain’s membrane.
Cervical Spine Fusion
Spinal fusion can help resolve compression fractures and severely unstable cervical conditions. Fusion involves the use of screws, rods, and cages to repair damaged vertebrae in the cervical region of the spine. The procedure permanently connects two or more bones to stabilize and support them. However, fusion does not allow much movement between the fused parts, leading to chronic pain due to lack of mobility.
Cervical Traction
Traction is a non-invasive method using weights to relieve pressure on the nerve roots. It does not require anyone to make any incisions or invasive procedures, thus, making it an ideal treatment option for children and patients who are obese. This conservative care treatment allows the cervical spine bones to move naturally and work naturally. It delivers carefully controlled and monitored pressure to the intervertebral discs and ligaments to pull apart, expand and reduce the size of compressed or narrowed parts of the spine.
Cervical conditions are usually addressed with conservative care treatments. However, when these treatments are unsuccessful or cannot be used, patients may opt for either spinal fusion, discectomy, or disc replacement. Whether you decide to undergo one of these procedures or medical treatment to address your cervical condition is entirely up to you and what you feel is the best option.