Channel: Lee Health

Category: Education

Tags: neck painweakness in armspinal disc replacementspinebonedisc bulgesdisc replacementspinal degeneratesdegenerationspine surgeonbone graftpain in the lower armnumbness in the armsloss of balanceartificial discbone spurspain that radiates into the shoulderspinal cordhand dexteritysurgery

Description: It's a common problem that happens as we age. "Our spine degenerates due to the cumulative wear and tear that we've subjected our bodies to overtime," said Dr. Dale Segal, a spine surgeon with Lee Health. Dr. Segal says that degeneration leads to bone spurs and disc bulges—both compress the spinal cord. "Some of the symptoms that these conditions can result in are neck pain, or pain that radiates into the shoulder or the lower arm, can result in weakness and numbness in the arms, and when it gets severe it can result in hand dexterity and loss of balance." While many cases can be treated without surgery, doctors say there are times when surgery is the best option. "The goal of the surgery is to remove the structures that are compressing the spinal cord and the spinal nerves. Traditionally, when the disc is removed, a bone graft is put back in its place and that bone graft is stabilized with screws and a plate," said Dr. Segal. But a new technique called disc replacement—removes the disc and replaces it with an artificial disc. "The benefits of the artificial disc are that it mimics the motion of the natural disc. So it allows for the neck to flex, extend, rotate from side to side. Rather than the forces getting distributed to the other discs, the way that it does in the fusion, it absorbs the energy and the forces," he said. Offering patients who qualify a quicker and easier recovery after surgery. View More Health Matters video segments at LeeHealth.org/Healthmatters Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care. Visit LeeHealth.org