Cervical Center
Cervical Degeneration
A chronic, progressive arthritis of the cervical spine. Over time, the discs wear down and can produce neck pain, radiating pain, and in some cases myelopathy or radiculopathy.
Overview
Cervical degeneration is a chronic, progressive condition caused by arthritis in the cervical spine. Over time, the spinal discs wear down, losing their ability to cushion and support the bones. This can lead to a bone on bone effect between vertebrae, producing pain as the most common symptom. As the discs deteriorate, some patients experience neck pain, shoulder pain, or radiating arm pain. Not everyone with cervical degeneration develops symptoms.
Smoking is a major accelerator and continues to affect outcomes even after surgery. While surgery may relieve symptoms, cervical degeneration can progress with age, potentially causing issues at other levels of the spine over time. Possible complications include foraminal stenosis, narrowing around a nerve root that can lead to arm pain or weakness, and osteophytes with central cervical stenosis that can compress the spinal cord.
Cervical degeneration typically occurs after age forty and may or may not be associated with a cervical disc herniation. Some patients have severe symptoms from a herniated disc without significant degeneration. Imaging with x ray, CT, and MRI is essential to evaluate bone alignment, osteophytes, and soft tissue involvement.
Symptoms
Content pending medical review.
Causes
Content pending medical review.
When to see a specialist
Content pending medical review.
Non surgical treatment options
The Cervical Center works with the team at Spine Options to provide non operative care for patients. Most patients who present with some form of neck pain, upper extremity weakness or numbness, or lower extremity weakness or numbness within the diagnosis of cervical spine disorders will not need surgery. Most symptoms improve over time with conservative treatment.
Physical therapy
We develop personalized physical therapy prescriptions based on your specific needs and refer you to experienced local providers. These programs improve strength, flexibility, and posture, helping to reduce pain, enhance mobility, and promote long term spinal health.
Epidural injections
For patients who may benefit from epidural steroid injections, we provide expert evaluations and referrals to trusted local physicians who specialize in pain management. These injections can reduce inflammation and nerve related pain caused by conditions such as disc herniation or foraminal stenosis, offering relief with minimal downtime.
Medication
Most neck pain improves with non steroidal anti inflammatory agents such as Motrin, Aleve, Advil, and Tylenol. Any patient with numbness or weakness is a more urgent matter and should undergo an MRI of their cervical spine regardless of pain level.
View all non surgical options →
Most patients start with conservative care including non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and physical therapy.
Surgical options
Patients are initially evaluated by a physiatrist to ensure all non surgical options, including physical therapy and non narcotic pain management, are exhausted before considering a surgical solution.
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, or ACDF, is a surgical procedure used to treat patients with a compressed nerve or spinal cord who do not improve with conservative care. If a patient has a compressed spinal cord and exhibits any symptoms, they will most likely need to undergo surgery regardless of their response to conservative care, since conservative care is unlikely to improve the symptoms.
The incision is made in the front of the neck, usually in a horizontal skin fold. The surgeon removes the disc to allow access to the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Once the disc is removed, the surgeon frees the compressed nerve or spinal cord to provide relief. Since there is no disc remaining, the surgeon replaces it with a spacer and secures the spacer with a plating system.
Recovery
Content pending medical review.
Sources and further reading
Patient questions
Frequently asked questions
Our clinical team explains Cervical Degeneration using your history, examination, and imaging. Symptoms vary by nerve or spinal cord involvement. An accurate diagnosis guides whether conservative care or surgery is the safest next step.
Symptoms may include neck or back pain, arm or leg pain, numbness, weakness, or balance changes when the spinal cord is involved. Severity and duration help determine urgency and treatment options.
Evaluation usually includes a neurological examination and MRI. X ray or CT may assess bone alignment. We correlate imaging with your symptoms before recommending injections, therapy, or surgery.
Physical therapy, medication, activity modification, and selective injections are common first steps. We monitor progress over four to eight weeks and escalate only when symptoms persist or neurologic deficits progress.
Seek urgent care for rapidly worsening weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, saddle anesthesia, or severe pain after trauma. Call (914) 948 3008 for guidance if you are unsure how quickly to be seen.
Get in touch
Contact us today.
Office
Institute For Spine Surgery244 Westchester Avenue, Suite 209
West Harrison, NY 10604
Phone
(914) 948 3008Start your recovery
What should I do next for spine care?
Take the first step toward a pain free life. Schedule a consultation to explore advanced spine surgery options at the Institute For Spine Surgery. Our expert team guides you through a personalized plan for optimal recovery.
- Board certified neurosurgery
- 4,000+ spine surgeries performed