Cervical Spine Surgery In Santa Monica, CA

The cervical spine is the portion of the spine located in your neck. It encompasses seven vertebrae and provides support and motion for the head. Because the cervical spine is a complex and delicate structure, daily stresses, injury, and other conditions often affect this area of the spine. When other treatments fail to provide sufficient mobility and pain relief, cervical spine surgery may be your best option to restore quality of life. Marina Spine Center offers state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgery in Los Angeles for the treatment of conditions that affect the cervical spine.

Causes of Slipped Discs

A “slipped disc” or herniated disc is a common cause of neck and upper body pain. If conservative treatments fail to address discomfort, cervical spine surgery offers a reliable long-term solution to pain that causes extreme discomfort or disability. The most common causes of slipped discs in the cervical spine include:

• natural degeneration of the spinal discs as a result of aging. This condition may be called degenerative disc disease; it is the most frequent cause of slipped discs.
• acute trauma to the neck that causes one or more discs in the cervical spine to rupture. This type of trauma can occur during automobile accidents, sports injuries, or even simple slips, trips, and falls.
• overloading of the spinal structure, such as lifting objects that are too heavy or using poor lifting form, can sometimes cause a slipped disc in the cervical spine.

Recovering from Cervical Spine Surgery

Marina Spine Center utilizes the latest minimally-invasive spinal surgery techniques to minimize tissue damage, reduce discomfort, and speed healing after your procedure. Following cervical spine surgery, you may need to stay in the hospital for two to three days. You should expect to feel some discomfort; your surgeon will prescribe medication to manage pain prior to your surgery. Take pain medication preemptively at first, then reduce your dosage as needed. Your surgeon may also provide a brace, which can be worn for one to two weeks to improve comfort. In many cases, you will take part in physical therapy following your spinal surgery to restore mobility and strength. Your physical therapist will also show you exercises you can perform at home as part of the recovery process.

While you can often return to most normal daily activities within days or weeks of minimally-invasive cervical spine surgery, your recovery period will depend upon your specific health needs and the procedure you underwent. If you have questions about cervical spine surgery in Los Angeles, contact Marina Spine Center at 310-448-7890 or visit our website to request a consultation.