With a name like that, it is no wonder why so many people are afraid of having surgery on their back. This surgery, or any surgery for that matter, should be considered as a last resort. Even though surgical procedures have come a long way, the costs and risks are not something to be overlooked.
Cervical Endoscopic Discectomy procedures are often prescribed to people suffering from severe disc herniation in the neck area.
Why Do Discs Herniate in the First Place?
Discs begin to deteriorate over time and can also be affected by things like trauma and excessive wear and tear. Herniated discs or ruptured discs can create pressure against spinal nerves which can lead to pain. Keep in mind that you can have herniated discs and not feel pain. Odds are if you are researching this procedure, you have already been diagnosed with herniated discs or other problems in the upper back and neck area.
If your pain is not caused by herniated discs, there are probably better treatment options for you. Other treatment options for herniated discs include physical therapy, analgesics, muscle relaxants, cervical collars, and more.
Your physician should have made you aware of other possible treatment options. If not, you can visit the neck pain section of our website to learn more about how to treat neck pain without surgery.
What to Expect From a Cervical Endoscopic Discectomy
Since this procedure is considered an minimally invasive, outpatient procedure, you can expect to be home shortly after your surgery. The procedure usually is performed under intravenous sedation given by an anesthesiologist.
This procedure has been performed since the early 1990’s in Europe. If you are seriously considering this procedure you will want to make an appointment to speak with a specialist. Make sure you write down all the questions that you have. It is important that you do your research before undergoing any type of surgical procedure. For more information on back surgery, please visit the link below:
