Do you suffer from debilitating, chronic pain? Is your pain related to spinal compression? If so, it might be time to consider an anterior cervical decompression. It’s not uncommon for back issues to devolve into worsening conditions. Something relatively simple, like bone spurs, can lead to complications. Your spine might undergo extra compression, and when that happens, the pain comes and stays. It’s never a fun situation, but treatment is available. If you take a minute to learn about anterior cervical decompression, you might find the relief you’ve been seeking.
What Is Anterior Cervical Decompression?
This is a treatment for radiculopathy, which occurs when there is pressure on the spinal cord. The condition usually originates from bone spurs, hernia, or degenerative disc disease. The decompression procedure relieves pressure from the spine, alleviating pain caused by compression. This process is surgical, and it is best used when alternative treatments are not viable or successful.
What Is the Process?
When your surgeon performs an anterior cervical decompression, the process takes a few steps. Through an incision in the neck, the surgeon works to gain access to the spine.
From there, they use active imaging techniques to locate sources and areas of cervical compression precisely.
With that information, they will carefully remove some bone and soft tissue. This creates more space and removes pressure points—eliminating the pain at the source.
In some cases, it might be necessary to use grafts to support the spine and maintain the correct, natural pressure on your spinal cord.
As complicated as the procedure might sound, it’s actually relatively fast, and recovery goes well. Most patients are back to normal in two to three weeks after the surgery.
Contact Todd Albert, MD, for an Appointment
If you have chronic pain related to spinal compression, then it’s time to get help. You can contact the office of Todd Albert, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, today. Call the New York office at 212-606-1004 or complete the online contact form to book your consultation. Dr. Albert can get you on the path to recovery and a pain-free life.
