Cervical spine

SPINE SURGERY

The common denominator of surgical solutions is to remove compression on the nerve endings or on the spinal cord that is responsible for pain or neurologic signs.
The source of compression can be a spinal herniated disc, an osteophyte (arthrosis, foraminal stenosis, a reduced or stenotic cervical canal), a calcification of the ligaments or even a bone fracture, an abscess (an infected lesion) or a tumor.
The most frequent initial symptoms are pain (in the cervical spine or radiating in the arm, cervico-brachialgia, cervico-brachial nevralgia, torticolis), paresthesia (the sensation of tingling, tickling, pricking, or burning of a person’s skin) and the partial or complete loss of motricity (paresis, paralysis). The aim of decompression is to eliminate the pain or neurologic symptoms and to potentially permit recuperation of the nerve lesion or of the spinal cord by guaranteeing the stability of the spine after an operation which can lead to a return to social, professional and leisure activities.
The time needed for convalescence and the delay required to return to normal activities depends on the type of pathology, the surgical technique used and the specifics of each patient. In all cases, a personalized agenda for progressively undertaking different activities will be proposed.

• Cervical disc herniation

Either via an anterior approach with fusion, or via an anterior approach using a disc prosthesis in order to preserve mobility, or via a posterior approach. Rapid recovery (2-6 weeks), return home within 2-3 days, no neck brace, post-surgical physiotherapy recommended.

• Cervico-arthrosic medullopathy

Stenotic or reduced cervical canal, anterior and/or posterior approach with decompression (discectomy or corpectomy) and fusion.

• Cervical arthrosis, foraminal stenosis

Anterior approach, decompression and fusion.

• Trauma and tumors

Fractures of the spine, instability, primary tumors or bone metastases.