What is Cervical Decompression?
People who suffer from spinal stenosis often undergo a surgical procedure that is called Cervical Decompression.
Spinal stenosis is caused by the narrowing of the spaces within one’s spinal columns, putting pressure on the nerves travelling through the spine. It is often caused by normal wear-and-tear and/or changes related to osteoarthritis.
Cervical Decompression is a procedure that is done to relieve patients of compression of the cervical (neck) spinal nerves, which can cause painful or uncomfortable symptoms.
It is performed to remove the spinal structure which causes the pinching and pressure, and can alleviate most, if not all, of the corresponding symptomatic pain, weakness, and/or tingling.
How Cervical Decompression is Performed
Patients who undergo cervical decompression are placed under general anesthesia, and a small, transverse incision is made in the anterior aspect of their neck. The musculature is moved aside, allowing the surgeon to move the trachea, esophagus, and carotid artery medially.
The problematic intervertebral disc(s) can be identified by x-ray or fluoroscopy, and removed at the level(s) to be decompressed, with or without small bone spurs at their margins. Both bone and disc are removed down to the posterior longitudinal ligament.
After the spinal cord and nerve roots have been decompressed, a small bone graft is inserted. This bone graft can be either the patient’s own graft (an autograft), or a banked human cadaver bone (an allograft).
After the insertion is finished, the surgeon may insert and screw in a titanium plate, which is secured to provide further stability, and to lessen the patient’s healing time in a neck collar.
Cervical Decompression in Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Los Angeles County:
- Cervical Decompression in and near Anaheim
- Cervical Decompression in and near Colton
- Cervical Decompression in and near Corona
- Cervical Decompression in and near Garden Grove
- Cervical Decompression in and near Irwindale
- Cervical Decompression in and near La Mirada
- Cervical Decompression in and near Long Beach
- Cervical Decompression in and near Los Angeles
- Cervical Decompression in and near Ontario
- Cervical Decompression in and near Perris
- Cervical Decompression in and near Temecula
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