Neck Pain No More

Painful disorders of the cervical portion of the spine, or neck, can severely limit function and quality of life.  Spinal discs acts as shock absorbers for our spine and allow us to twist and bend. If a disc herniates, you may experience symptoms such as pain radiating down the arm or numbness. As a result, you may have to alter your lifestyle to manage the pain.

Herniated discs, or slipped discs, can be caused by injury, degenerated or worn-down discs, or bony outgrowths, also known as bone spurs. Herniation can result in cervical spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck that pinches the spinal cord, resulting from the misalignment of the vertebral column.

Cervical fusion is a procedure that can offer pain relief and restore function. When neck movement causes chronic pain due to cervical spine disorders, cervical fusion can be performed to fuse two or more vertebrae together to stabilize the vertebral column and relieve nerve pressure. Candidates for cervical fusion include those suffering from a slipped or herniated cervical disc, cervical bone spurs, or cervical spinal stenosis. Cervical fusion can be an effective solution to pain from pinched and irritated nerves for some patients, and it is the conventional treatment for cervical disc degeneration and herniation when surgery is necessary.

For more information on cervical fusion, call Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center at (605) 341-1414 to schedule an appointment, or click here to request an appointment online.