Cervical degenerative disc disease is a condition where age related wear and tear of a cervical spinal disc makes it lose water and become flatter, stiffer, and less capable of absorbing stresses. The condition becomes painful when the degenerated disc causes abnormal movement in the spinal segment.
Muscle spasms and inflammation or compression of a nearby nerve root. Most cases of degenerative disc disease can be managed with non-surgical treatments. Applying an ice or cold pack to the neck reduces swelling around the inflamed nerves and numbs the nerves, providing immediate pain relief. Heat therapy applied to the neck and shoulder can relieve muscle tension and spasms, improve blood flow to the area, and foster a healing environment.
Pain relieving medication such as acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and medicated ointments help relieve painful flareups of degenerative disc pain. Guided physical therapy and exercise programs that include stretching, strengthening, and aerobic conditioning rehabilitate the muscles and spinal structures in the neck, shoulder, and upper back, which in turn improves posture and relieves pressure on the disc and surrounding nerves. For some people, an epidural steroid injection may be recommended to manage chronic pain from degenerated discs. This type of injection consists of a steroid administered directly to the spine to reduce nerve inflammation and pain.
Other non-surgical treatments for degenerative disc disease include rest, TENS therapy, massage therapy, manual manipulation, yoga, water therapy, ergonomic changes, and lifestyle changes. Surgery may be an option for severe cervical degenerative disc disease symptoms that have not been relieved through non-surgical treatments.
There are two main types of surgeries for treating cervical degenerative disc disease. An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery, or ACDF surgery, is designed to treat pain by eliminating motion in the degenerated spinal segment. This surgery involves removing the damaged disc and placing some type of bone graft in the spinal segment to foster bone growth between the two vertebrae and form one long stable bone.
An ACDF surgery aims to improve spinal stability and relieve nerve compression. A cervical artificial disc replacement surgery involves removing the entire damaged disc and replacing it with an artificial disc implant which acts like a natural disc. This surgery aims to reduce pain by returning the disc space to a natural height and relieving nerve compression. Unlike a fusion surgery, this procedure maintains movement in the spine, similar to natural spinal movements.
For chronic pain from cervical degenerative disc disease that has not been relieved by non-surgical or surgical treatments, spinal cord stimulation may be an option. A spinal cord stimulator is a small, implanted device that delivers mild electric pulses to the nerves surrounding the spinal cord to interrupt pain signals from the spinal cord to the brain. Before implantation, a trial procedure is done to determine if nerve stimulation effectively reduces pain. If the trial is successful, surgical implantation may be considered.
Finding the right treatment for cervical degenerative disc disease is determined by a combination of factors such as your specific symptoms, overall health, and personal preferences. And it may require trial and error to find what works best for you.
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