It is the dislocation of the disc between the neck vertebrae and pressing on the nerves. It can cause neck, arm, shoulder, head, back pain. Weakness and numbness may begin in the arms.
After the examination, the diagnosis is made by performing MRI, CT, x-ray grafts and EMG examinations.
Surgery is recommended for patients who do not respond to medication, exercise and physical therapy.
THE MOST IMPORTANT FINDING FOR THE SURGERY IS WEAKNESS!!
HERNIA DETECTION IN MR IS NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR SURGERY!!
OPERATION IS ALSO A GOOD OPTION FOR PAIN THAT DOESN’T COME WITH EXTREME GREEN OR RED PRECISION DRUGS.
Anterior cervical microdiscectomy is a surgical method applied to relieve complaints and findings such as pain, numbness and/or loss of strength due to cervical disc disease. Between the spinal bones are soft, jelly-like structures called discs that act as a natural shock-absorbing cushion. The soft part of the disc in the middle part of the disc may herniate from the surrounding and relatively hard disc wall for various reasons and may press on the neighboring nerves and spinal cord. Likewise, bone protrusions (bone spurs, calcifications) caused by the wear of the discs can also press on the nerves and spinal cord. With this surgery, it is tried to relieve the pressure due to hernia on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots of the upper neck region. During this surgery, the method of removing herniated discs and bone protrusions at the level of the affected neck, usually through a skin incision to the front of the neck, is used. After the disc is removed, a pre-prepared small bone graft (received from the patient during surgery (it is the most ideal fusion material) or bank bones from donors) or materials called cages or prostheses can be used to fuse the upper and lower vertebrae together, to fill the space between two neighboring bones and prevent collapse. . None of the ready-made materials has yet been proven to be significantly superior to the other. There are also specialists who do not prefer to use any of these materials and do not put anything between the bones. RECENTLY, PUBLICATIONS HAVE STARTED TO BE SUCCESSFUL TO SURGERY PERFORMED WITHOUT A FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE SURGERY OF NECKLACE PERFORMED ON SINGLE OR TWO LEVELS.
After the surgery, patients usually get up and walk within 2-4 hours and are discharged on the same day or the next day (my preference is to stay overnight).
Alternatives:
• Not to have the surgery by taking all kinds of risks.
• Attempting to relieve pain or muscle spasm through medication.
• Do exercises to strengthen the neck muscles.
• Trying to resolve complaints with physical therapy methods.
Procedural Problems:
• Anesthesia risk: There are risks during and after local and general anesthesia procedures (due to the position given to the patient during surgery). In addition, there may be problems that may occur due to drugs in all forms of anesthesia and sedation.
• Bleeding: Although very rare, there is a risk of severe bleeding during or after surgery. In case of bleeding, it may need additional treatment or a blood transfusion.
• Blood clot formation: A blood clot can occur after any type of surgery. Clots formed in the bleeding area can block blood flow and cause problems such as pain, edema, inflammation or tissue damage.
• Spinal cord injury: Although very rare, paralysis due to spinal cord injury may occur during surgery. It is usually temporary.
• Cardiac problems: The surgery has a low risk of causing an irregular heart rhythm or heart attack.
• Failure of the operation: There is a low probability that pain, numbness, loss of muscle strength or other complaints cannot be relieved after Fusion Anterior Cervical Discectomy surgery.
• Failure of the vertebrae to fuse: After Anterior Cervical Discectomy, adjacent vertebrae may not fuse together, which may lead to spinal disorders and/or pain.
• Increase in pain complaints: Although rare, pain complaints may increase after surgery.
• Infection: Infection may occur at and under the skin incision. Risks due to infection include the formation of meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).
• Nerve damage: There is a small risk of injury to the nerve that goes to the vocal cords. As a result of this situation, temporary or permanent hoarseness can be seen. Very rarely, an injury to the vagus nerve can lead to diaphragmatic dysfunction.
• Nerve root injury: Nerve root injury; It can cause pain in the arm, weakness in the related muscle groups and sensory disturbances in the related skin.
• Recurrence: After surgery, symptoms may recur and additional surgery may be required.
• Respiratory problems: Respiratory distress or pneumonia, which is usually temporary, may occur after surgery. Pulmonary embolism (occlusion of the vessels of the lungs) may occur.
• Stroke: Stroke may occur as a result of injury and stretching of the Carotid artery during or after surgery.
