Cervical spine surgery
Conditions treated by cervical spine surgery
Cervical spine surgery is generally performed
on an elective basis to treat either:
-
Nerve/spinal cord impingement (Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4)
(decompression surgery)
-
Spinal instability (fusion surgery)
The two procedures are often combined, as a
decompression may de-stabilize the spine and
create the need for a fusion to add stability.
Spinal instrumentation (such as a small plate)
can also be used to help add stability to the
spinal construct.
Determining the direction of approach for
cervical spine surgery
The cervical spine can either be approached
from the front (anterior approach) or from the
back (posterior approach). In general, where
possible, most surgeons for most conditions favor
an anterior approach. An anterior approach results
in less disruption of the normal musculature
and is also easier to maintain the normal alignment
of the spine. Many degenerative conditions of
the spine cause a loss of the normal lordosis
(gentle curvature of the spine), and by opening
up the front of the spine this lordosis can be
reestablished. However, there are some conditions
that do require a posterior approach or a combined
anterior/posterior approach.
By: Peter
F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
October 7, 2005 (article
originally published September 8, 1999) |
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