Herniated Disc
As in the lumbar spine in the cervical spine the disc functions between the two bony segments of vertebrae as a cushion. Sometimes the enlargement of the cervical joints, arthritis or enlargement of the ligaments or compression of nerve root can lead to pain in the neck with radiation down the shoulder blades or in one arm or the other. It can lead to weakness and permanent deficits. The diagnosis can be made by MRI scans of the cervical spine and sometimes by CT myelogram. Most often conservative treatment with physical therapy and cervical traction may be helpful however at times it requires surgical excision of the disc with fusion.
Recently motion preservation technology is becoming more popular in which the instrumented fusion of the two vertebrae, an artificial disc is placed and positioned between the two spinal segments after removing the herniated disc. Patients must meet all the criteria for the use of the artificial disc. FDA has approved the use of artificial cervical and lumbar discs in the United States of America however there are strict criteria to be followed.
