Treatment of Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease in New Jersey
Cervical degenerative disc disease happens when one or more of the cushioning discs in the neck start to break down. Most often, a disc breaks down due to normal wear and tear, but an injury can also cause the condition.
Cervical degenerative disc disease is a common cause of neck pain, and it can radiate into the arms. Cervical degenerative disc disease can also lead to:
- Stiffness in the neck
- Persistent neck discomfort
- Chronic pain in the upper back
Patients experiencing cervical degenerative disc disease can visit New Jersey’s NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute for a consultation. World-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Branko Skovrlj, specializes in complex spine and neck procedures using minimally invasive surgical techniques.
What Causes Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease?
A person’s neck is flexible by nature to allow them to move their head in many directions. The neck is made of seven bones, called vertebrae, which provide flexibility, protection, and stability for the spinal cord. In between the vertebrae are discs, which are filled with a gel-like material that acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. The discs are shock absorbers when the spine experiences impact.
As a person ages, their discs tend to become brittle and can leak some of their fluid. This is known as cervical degeneration. When the cushioning between the vertebra narrows, nerves can become pinched, which is known as cervical degenerative disc disease.
Symptoms of Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease include:
- Pain ranging from mildly annoying neck discomfort to debilitating neck pain
- Discomfort that prevents a patient from continuing daily activities
- Pain and stiffness in the back that is aggravated by movement and relieved with rest
- Sharp or electric shock-like feelings that radiate down the shoulder into the arms, hands, or fingers
- Neurological symptoms in the arms, fingers, or hands, like numbness, pins-and-needles tingling, or weakness that radiates into the arm and hand
- Difficulty moving the arms and legs
- Trouble with coordination and balance
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
A neurologist at NU-Spine will be able to perform diagnostic exams and tests to determine the cause of neck pain. If you’ve already seen a doctor and had an MRI, our team can provide a free MRI review and offer a second opinion.
Risk Factors of Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
Age is the main factor in cervical degenerative disc disease due to natural wear and tear on the spine. Other risk factors include:
- Being overweight
- Genetics
- Smoking
Athletes are also more susceptible to degenerative disc disease because repetitive movement can accelerate the wear and tear of the discs.
Conditions Similar to Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease can vary from one person to another, but the symptoms can also mimic other conditions that may require a much different approach to treatment. Conditions that share symptoms with cervical disc degeneration include:
- Compression injury
- Compressed nerve
- Herniated disc
- Hunchback
- Neck Injury
- Osteoarthritis
- Slipped or bulging discs
- Spinal cord injury
- Spinal narrowing
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Before a patient commits to surgical intervention, a variety of non-surgical treatment options might be recommended. These include:
- Physical therapy: A spinal physical therapist will use a variety of techniques to reduce neck pain and stiffness while increasing the range of motion.
- Ice or heat therapy: An ongoing technique for pain relief, this treatment often accompanies massage therapy for relieving cervical pain.
- Over-the-counter pain medications: These medications accompany other treatment options and are a short-term solution for pain management.
- Lifestyle modifications: A doctor may recommend modification of a patient’s work or exercise routines to promote the neck’s well-being.
- Manual spine adjustment: Manipulation of the spine can improve the range of motion and reduce pain in some cases.
Surgical Options for Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
If non-surgical treatments do not work to treat a patient’s cervical degenerative disc disease, NU-Spine specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgery. Some of the procedures that NU-Spine concentrates on are:
Microdiscectomy
A microdiscectomy removes some or all a disc or multiple discs that sit between the vertebrae. Damaged discs can be extremely painful and lead to complications, like throbbing neck pain from a cervical slipped disc, inflammation, or injury. A microdiscectomy is commonly performed on all areas of the spine, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar.
Minimally Invasive Laminectomy
In a minimally invasive laminectomy, part of the back of one or more vertebrae is removed to create more space for nerves in the spinal cord. Areas damaged by a compressed nerve can benefit from this procedure. This procedure is often used to treat conditions like cervical stenosis and thoracic radiculopathy, among other conditions.
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
A TLIF is a contemporary approach to spinal fusion. It’s a minimally invasive procedure used to fuse different parts of the spine with a special graft. It’s commonly used to treat spondylolisthesis, cervical degenerative disc disease, and lumbar degenerative disc disease. A TLIF is much less invasive than more extensive spinal fusions.
Endoscopic Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy
An endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy refers to two procedures that are done at the same time. The procedure involves a foraminotomy, which widens the spinal cord if it gets too narrow and pinches a nerve. It also involves a discectomy, which is the removal of the discs in between the vertebrae. This is a procedure primarily used to treat conditions caused by compressed nerves, such as cervical radiculopathy, thoracic radiculopathy, or lumbar radiculopathy.
Lumbar Decompression
A lumbar decompression is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The procedure involves relieving pressure on the spinal cord by removing part of the lamina or one or more vertebrae.
The medical team at NU-Spine provides patients with consultations to learn more about their pain and symptoms.
Choose a Neurosurgeon With Experience
A patient’s spine health is important, so when looking for a neurosurgeon to perform a minimally invasive spine surgery, a patient needs a doctor who specializes in these techniques.
One of those neurosurgeons is Dr. Skovrlj. He stands out because he is a:
- Board-certified neurosurgeon
- Fellowship-trained neurosurgeon
- Key contributor to NIH-funded in-vivo study on discogenic pain in the lumbar spine
Dr. Skovrlj has also published over 50 peer-reviewed publications in the field of spine surgery. He has presented over 150 clinical research papers worldwide. Dr. Skovrlj is a member of many leading societies, including:
- North American Spine Society
- Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- The American Academy of Neurological Surgery
- The Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- The Scoliosis Research Society
Reach Out to NU-Spine to Learn More About Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
Achieve pain-free living; reach out to the medical team at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute for an evaluation and treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease. We are conveniently located in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel, New Jersey. If you are looking for a world-class neurosurgeon and leading spine specialist, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
