Cervical Discectomy

What Is Cervical Discectomy?

Cervical discectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat a damaged spinal disc in the neck. It involves removing all or most of a damaged disc and then stabilizing the spine with a cervical disc replacement or cervical spinal fusion. This provides immediate and permanent relief from pain.

The spine is not a single bone. Instead, it is composed of a chain of interlocking bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are separated from one another by spinal discs. These are pads of rubbery tissue with a soft gel-like center. They serve a variety of purposes: absorbing shock, providing flexibility, and preventing friction. A damaged disc cannot perform these functions. This results in intense chronic pain that will not go away without medical treatment.

When Is Cervical Discectomy Recommended?

Cervical discectomy is the recommended treatment for a cervical herniated disc. Also called a cervical slipped or bulging disc, this condition refers to a spinal disc that has ruptured, allowing its soft gel core to leak. This reduces the amount of padding between vertebrae. In addition, the leaking core may bulge into the spinal cavity, putting pressure on the spinal cord. This results in cervical myelopathy and a set of potentially debilitating symptoms, such as:

• Numbness in the shoulders, arms, hands, or fingers
• Tingling or burning sensations in the shoulders, arms, hands, or fingers
• Shooting or traveling pain that moves from the shoulders into the arms
• Pain that gets worse with movement in the head or neck
• Weakness in the arms or hands

Herniated disc treatment typically begins with conservative methods. Frequent recommendations include rest, medication, steroid injections, or targeted exercises to relieve pain. However, severe disc pain may not respond to non-invasive treatments, or it may return afterward. If this happens, the next step is surgery. Cervical discectomy provides long-term relief when other treatments fail. Patients with neck pain should speak with the NU-Spine neurosurgeon about whether discectomy is right for them.

Who Performs Cervical Discectomy at NU-Spine?

NU-Spine is led by our resident neurosurgeon, Branko Skovrlj, MD. Dr. Skovrlj is one of the only neurosurgeons in the state to focus solely on spine treatments. He has expertise in all kinds of spine surgery but specializes in minimally invasive procedures. Although he works in New Jersey, he is known around the world for his research. He actively contributes to efforts to improve surgical options and outcomes for a variety of spine conditions.

Dr. Skovrlj is committed to the New Jersey community and is down to earth. He understands that patients may have a hard time opening up about pain that interferes with everyday life or impacts their body image. His compassionate and personal approach to care helps patients feel at ease when discussing their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

How Is Cervical Discectomy Performed?

Cervical discectomy is typically performed under general anesthesia, which keeps the patient asleep throughout the procedure. After administering anesthesia, Dr. Skovrlj performs the following steps:

1. Dr. Skovrlj makes an incision on the neck near the ruptured disc.
2. He places surgical dilators to separate the neck muscles, allowing him to access the herniated disc without cutting.
3. He inserts an endoscope, which is a tiny camera mounted on a flexible tube, into the channel created by the dilators. This provides a video feed to guide the surgeon’s work.
4. If necessary, Dr. Skovrlj then performs a cervical laminectomy. This procedure removes a small piece from the back of the vertebrae, helping him access the disc.
5. Using precise tools, Dr. Skovrlj carefully cuts apart and removes the herniated disc.
6. He performs a cervical disc replacement or cervical spinal fusion to stabilize the vertebrae.
7. He closes the incision with sutures (stitches) and protects it with surgical dressing.

The procedure takes about one hour to complete but will take a little longer if a spinal fusion is needed. Afterward, the patient is taken to a recovery room. Experienced medical staff monitor their vital signs while they wake up from anesthesia. Most patients can go home as soon as they are alert. Others may need to spend a night at the hospital to ensure a strong start to recovery.

Recovery After Cervical Discectomy

When the patient is cleared to go home, Dr. Skovrlj will provide them with recovery instructions. This guidance is to maximize the chances of a successful, complication-free recovery, and may include:

• Protecting the incision site when bathing
• Limiting heavy lifting and other strenuous activities
• Doing exercises to strengthen neck muscles
• Managing pain using medications
• Monitoring the incision for signs of infection
• Scheduling a follow-up appointment

Most patients can return to driving and other light activity after a week or two. At this point, they may work with a physical or occupational therapist. The therapist will guide them through a gradual return to normal activity levels. Full recovery typically takes around six weeks.

Outcomes of Cervical Discectomy

Cervical discectomy is a proven procedure with high rates of success. Patients typically experience significant relief immediately afterward. While the surgery itself may cause some temporary pain, nerve symptoms caused by the bulging disc are eliminated.

NU-Spine performs minimally invasive discectomy when possible. This means Dr. Skovrlj uses dilators, precise tools, and an endoscope to work through as small an incision as possible. By avoiding cutting through muscle, he reduces surgical trauma. This creates less post-operative pain, bleeding, and infection risk and allows for a faster and easier recovery.

Find Neck Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

Don’t wait for relief from chronic neck pain. Transform your life with a touch of care at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Our patients experience the cutting-edge in spinal treatments, including cervical discectomy, helping them get back to a pain-free lifestyle. Contact us today at one of our locations near you in New Jersey to schedule an initial consultation and find out whether surgery is the right step for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cervical Discectomy

What does cervical discectomy involve?

Cervical discectomy is a surgery to remove a damaged spinal disc in the neck. It provides immediate and lasting relief for spinal disc pain.

When is cervical discectomy recommended?

Cervical discectomy is used to treat a cervical herniated disc, also called a cervical slipped or bulging disc. It is typically recommended for patients whose pain interferes with day-to-day function and mobility or whose pain does not go away with conservative treatment.

Is cervical discectomy effective at relieving pain?

Most patients feel better immediately after a discectomy. Though there may be pain from the procedure itself, cervical discectomy provides immediate relief from nerve pain caused by a herniated disc.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive procedures are advanced surgeries that work through a smaller incision than normal. This allows for a faster, easier recovery with less pain and risk of complications.