If the pain and symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease worsen, some procedures can be performed to help alleviate the situation. Self-care or non-surgical therapy alternatives are usually the first steps, and these will usually effectively manage the pain.
Surgery may be considered in rare cases if pain and symptoms persist or increase despite months of treatment or spinal cord health is in danger.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
A doctor would often recommend one or a combination of the following treatment options for neck discomfort caused by cervical degenerative disease:
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Rest or a lifestyle change. Certain activities, such as craning the neck forward to look at a computer monitor or a specific swimming stroke, can be more unpleasant for the neck. Restricting or modifying particular activities for a few days or weeks will usually relieve the pain. It is also important to keep a good posture (rather than slouching while sitting or extending the neck forward while driving, staring at a cell phone, etc.). Eating well, staying hydrated, and quitting smoking are all good for disc health.
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Medication or injections are used to manage pain. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and other over-the-counter pain medicines may be effective. If not, a more potent pain reliever, such as oral steroids or muscle relaxants, may be administered. Other methods include a cervical epidural steroid injection or a cervical facet injection, which gives medication directly to a specific neck area.
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Ice and/or heat therapy are both options. Some people get relief from discomfort by placing an ice pack or a warm gel pack on the painful area of the neck.
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Physical therapy and exercise. Most non-surgical neck pain treatment plans will incorporate exercise and stretching. A physical therapist or other skilled health practitioner might provide an exercise and stretching plan tailored to the patient's needs. Increasing neck strength and flexibility can reduce the chance of pain.
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Manipulation by hand. A chiropractor or other skilled health professional can manually adjust the cervical spine to increase the range of motion and/or relieve pain. Depending on the person's complaints, a medical exam and/or imaging examination should be performed before manual neck manipulation.
The therapy options for pain caused by cervical degenerative disc degeneration are not exhaustive. Additional options, such as massage therapy, electrical stimulation TENS device, bracing, or acupuncture, could also be considered.
Surgery for Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
Surgery for cervical degenerative disc degeneration is usually considered in two situations:
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There are neurological symptoms present, such as prolonged arm numbness and/or weakness, difficulty walking, or bowel control. If cervical DDD causes neurological problems, permanent nerve injury is dangerous, and surgery to relieve nerve pressure may be recommended.
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Chronic pain is severe and ineffective after at least six months of non-surgical treatment, making daily tasks difficult. Patients with chronic pain and additional abnormalities such as cervical instability or radiculopathy are expected to have better surgical outcomes.
The following are the two most prevalent methods of surgery for cervical degenerative disc disease:
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Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). This treatment involves removing the troublesome disc, decompressing the nerve root, and inserting a bone graft or a metal cage device to help preserve or reestablish the proper height of the disc space.
Suppose there are neurological complaints from spinal cord compression. In that case, the operation may include removing a vertebra or widening the spinal canal before fusion to allow greater space for the spinal cord.
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Artificial disc replacement in the cervical spine. The troublesome disc is removed and replaced with an artificial disc during this procedure. The purpose of this procedure is to keep motion at that level of the spine. Patients with mild arthritic alterations to the posterior facets may succeed better with cervical artificial disc replacement.
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