Orthopedic Neck Surgery Specialists in Bethlehem, PA

If you’re dealing with moderate to severe neck pain, chances are your doctor has recommended you see a skilled spine specialist to discuss neck surgery in Bethlehem, PA. Neck pain can affect all aspects of your day-to-day life. Most neck problems improve after several weeks by following the advice of your doctor. However, if you notice your symptoms are getting worse, it’s a good idea to discuss potential treatment options, which will likely begin with you being referred to a highly-trained spinal surgeon.

Orthopedic neck surgeons understand the importance of a decision like having neck surgery. Our surgeons at NJ Spine & Orthopedic can help evaluate your medical records and answer any questions you may have about orthopedic neck surgery.

Conditions That Bethlehem, PA Orthopedic Neck Surgery Treats 

Certain conditions that might require surgery are frequently due to age-related degenerative changes like osteoarthritis. Other conditions may have resulted from trauma or injury. Degenerative changes and injuries can cause bone spurs and herniated disks to form in your neck. When this occurs, it places pressure on your spinal cord or nerves, causing symptoms like numbness, pain, or weakness.

Common neck conditions that could potentially require surgery include:

• Cervical myelopathy (spinal cord compression): The spinal cord becomes irritated or compressed with this condition. Some common causes are scoliosis, osteoarthritis, or an injury to the neck.
• Cervical radiculopathy: Excess pressure is put on one of your neck’s nerve roots with this condition.
• Cervical fracture: This occurs when one or more of your neck bones are broken.
• Car accidents: Neck injuries are common in car accidents because of the extreme back-and-forth movements of the occupants in the vehicle. Each year in the U.S., there are more than 800,000 neck injuries due to car accidents.
• Sports-related neck injuries: Neck injuries are often the result of playing sports. These injuries can vary in degree of severity that range from fairly minor injuries like muscle strains to more serious, life-threatening injuries like cervical spinal cord injuries and neck fractures. 

The first option for neck pain treatment isn’t typically neck surgery. It’s usually only recommended when the patient isn’t experiencing relief from less invasive treatments. There are certain types of neck conditions that require neck surgery more often, like spinal cord compression, pinched nerves, and severe neck fractures. There are also different types of neck surgery and each serves a specific purpose. 

Are You a Good Candidate for Orthopedic Neck Surgery in Bethlehem, PA? 

While most physicians prefer to decrease neck pain without neck surgery, such as with medication and physical therapy, in some cases, surgery is the best option. For instance, if you’ve been diagnosed with cervical disc disease due to injury, arthritis, or another unknown cause, surgery may be your best option.

Every situation is unique and each patient is different, so it’s difficult to make a blanket statement about the necessity of neck surgery. But, there are specific conditions that could lead your physician to recommend a surgical treatment option, such as:

1. You’ve Had No Success With Non-Surgical Treatments 

If you’ve been trying non-surgical treatment options for an appropriate amount of time and you’re still experiencing pain in your neck or associated symptoms continue to be severe enough that they’re interfering with your day-to-day life, surgery might be your best option.

2. You Have Neck Instability 

Instability or excessive motion between your neck bones can lead to sharp pain with certain positions or movements. You might also have painful muscle spasms. An orthopedic neck surgery specialist in Bethlehem, PA can perform what’s known as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) that will help correct this problem by “fusing” neighboring vertebrae together, eliminating the painful movement.

3. You Have Significant or Worsening Nerve Compression 

A pinched nerve in your neck (cervical radiculopathy) can cause numbness, weakness, and pain anywhere along the nerve path, meaning you’ll feel it down your arms and in your shoulders. The surgeon can perform surgery to remove the source of nerve pressure.

4. You Have Spinal Cord Compression 

Specific neck problems, including age-related spinal changes, can place pressure on your spinal cord. You might develop stiffness or pain, issues with coordination and balance, or troubles with fine motor skills. A laminoplasty or other surgery that creates more room for your spinal cord, can be used to correct this.

Contact the Experienced Back Specialists at NJ Spine & Orthopedic Today

At NJ Spine & Orthopedic, the skilled orthopedic neck surgery specialists in Bethlehem, PA are committed to helping our patients through all types of unique conditions. We will sit down with you and come up with a highly personalized treatment plan to provide relief from your painful neck condition. 

We provide the most sophisticated and innovative technology advancements to ease your pain if you end up requiring neck surgery. We provide each and every patient with compassionate and quality treatment for their pain. Call NJ Spine & Orthopedic at (866) 553-0612 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation with our highly skilled orthopedic neck surgery specialists in Bethlehem, PA.