WHAT IS ANTERIOR OR POSTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY?
An anterior or posterior cervical discectomy are surgeries to remove damaged or injured discs from the spine in the neck. For an anterior procedure the surgeon will approach from the front of the neck (the throat), whereas in a posterior procedure the approach will be from the back of the neck. A posterior cervical discectomy is often performed when a herniated disc has fragmented into small pieces near the spinal nerve. Usually a discectomy is combined with a fusion of the two vertebrae that are separated by the disc. In some cases, this procedure is done without a fusion.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT ANTERIOR OR POSTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY:
- Anterior – surgeon approaches from the front of the neck or the throat
- Posterior – surgeon approaches from the back of the neck
- Pain relief is often felt soon after surgery recovery
- Procedure can be performed in conjunction with fusions
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR ANTERIOR OR POSTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY?
If you have symptoms that have not improved with physical therapy or other forms of conservative care and positive diagnostic results, you may be a candidate for this procedure.