Cervical degenerative disc disease
Degenerative disc disease is much less common
in the cervical spine than in the lumbar spine
because there is substantially less torque and
force across the cervical spine. Sometimes, however,
there is a twisting injury to the disc space
that starts the degenerative cascade of degenerative
disc disease and leads to chronic neck pain.
Treatment for degenerative disc disease
The treatment is largely the same as for degenerative disc disease in the lumbar
spine. In addition, traction may be useful and a home traction unit may be
prescribed for use at home.
Rarely, a one (or possibly two) level spine
fusion surgery may be required to help control
symptoms of degenerative disc disease and allow
a patient to function. Surgery for neck pain
is much less reliable than surgery to relieve
arm pain from degenerative disc disease and should
be avoided if at all possible. |
