Cervical Disc Surgery in Plano, TX

The staff at the Brain & Spine Center of Texas, under the direction of neurosurgeon Dr. Rebecca Stachniak, specializes in surgery of the spine, including the cervical spine, or neck, to relieve pain and improve mobility.

What is the cervical spine?

Generally known as the neck, the cervical spine is made up of seven bones, or vertebrae, that have intervertebral discs between each one.

What is cervical spine surgery?

Cervical spine surgery can take a few different forms. It can entail fusing two or more vertebrae or removing part or all of a disc or other segment of the neck’s components.

Why is cervical spine surgery performed?

Generally, surgery is a last resort for patients who have neck pain that has not been successfully treated with other methods, such as pain medication, physical therapy, and bed rest.

Conditions that can be treated with cervical spine surgery include disc herniation, bone spurs, stenosis, arthritis, and cervical tumors.

Types of cervical spine surgery performed by Brain & Spine Center of Texas

Dr. Stachniak performs several types of cervical spine surgery at Brain & Spine Center of Texas.

Discectomy

When the discs between the vertebrae become herniated or degenerate, they cause serious pain and discomfort. Dr. Stachniak is very experienced in the surgical procedure known as discectomy with the placement of an artificial disc. She removes the damaged disc and inserts an artificial one, which she carefully chooses to suit your needs and anatomy.

Anterior cervical fusion and posterior cervical fusion

Anterior cervical fusion and posterior cervical fusion both serve to join at least two vertebrae in the neck. During these procedures, a vertebra or disc could be removed before a bone graft is placed in the resultant opening left by the removal. Titanium metal screws or a cage stabilize the affected area until the fusion has taken effect. Traumatic injury, stenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, disc herniation, and fractures may be addressed with this type of neurosurgery.

Cervical laminectomy

A cervical laminectomy can ease compression of the spinal nerves, reducing the pain of spinal stenosis. The lamina is a small section of bone that protects the spinal cord. A laminectomy, by definition, means that part of this bone is removed. Any nearby bone spurs are also eliminated. This procedure lessens pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves.

Hardware removal or revision

Hardware removal or revision after fusion surgery may be necessary if the patient experiences pain, infection, or hardware failure. However, in most cases, the titanium metal screws or cage do not need to be removed.

Cervical tumor resection

At Brain & Spine Center of Texas, Dr. Stachniak can perform cervical tumor resection to remove benign or malignant tumors that could occur in the nerve roots, the spinal cord itself, or the vertebrae. The least invasive procedure, laparoscopy, is preferred for its safer and less painful consequences.

Risks of cervical spine surgery

Every type of surgery brings with it risks of blood clots, infections, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and excessive bleeding. Specific to cervical spine surgery are additional considerations, including implant failure, nerve damage, paralysis, breathing difficulties, and injury to the spinal cord.

How to prepare for surgery

You should stop taking medications, whether over-the-counter or prescription, that affect your blood. Examples are aspirin and ibuprofen. Other supplements and medicines to avoid are St. John’s Wort, hypoglycemic agents, and diuretics. Patients are encouraged to stop smoking and to prepare their homes for post-surgery recovery.

Recovering from cervical spine surgery

Recovery time depends on the type of surgical procedure you undergo, but you can expect a few days at the hospital followed by physical therapy for weeks or months. Call Brain & Spine Center of Texas in Plano, TX, for more information.