Know Comprehensive to Cervical

The cervical is part of the spine that considers the neck area. It consists of seven vertebrae and eight pairs of spinal nerves. The two most common problems people have with the cervical spine are herniation and stenosis. Also this shapes a protective tunnel for the upper part of spinal cord to pass through. As the spinal cord passes through this tunnel, it gives out spinal nerves that pass through the openings between the cervical vertebrae. These spinal nerves bring upper body with sensation and movement.

Cervical disk replacement surgery entails taking out a diseased cervical disk and replacing it with an artificial disk. It is done when the space between your vertebrae has become too narrow and part of your vertebrae. Disk replacement surgery could contain the advantage of letting more movement and creating less stress on the remaining vertebrae than traditional cervical disk surgery.

 Reasons for the Procedure

• Neck pain
• Neck Rigidity
• Headache
• Pain that travels down into your shoulders or arms
• Weakness of shoulders, arms, hands, or legs

Risks of the Procedure

• Reactions to the Anesthesia
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Nerve injury
• Spinal fluid leak
• Stroke
• Difficulty swallowing
• Failure to relieve symptoms
• Broken or loosened artificial disk

Before the Procedure

• Tell surgeon if having any history of reaction to general anesthesia.
• If you smoke, you are needed to stop smoking before surgery and after surgery.
• Before surgery you come with instructions, as when to stop eating and drinking

   After the Procedure

• Intravenous fluids to be continued until you may drink fluids well by mouth.
• You will continue to take pain medication, if you need it.
• Nurses are to check your dressing and help you get out of bed.
• You may be given a support collar to wear in the hospital.