Neck

Neck surgery or other nonsurgical treatments of the back and neck might be necessary for various reasons including trauma, chronic pain, spinal disorders, infections, failure of previous surgeries, deformities, or tumors.

Golden State Orthopedics & Spine takes a multi-faceted approach to back and neck pain, conditions, and treatments. We offer a range of treatments and always prioritize nonsurgical options first. However, when patients require surgery, they can be confident that our orthopedic spine surgeons are board certified, highly trained, experienced, and have undergone residency, fellowship, and continuing education focusing on the neck and back.

Comprehensive Spine Center

Our Spine Center provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art approach to spinal care. Leading-edge care begins with a thorough evaluation and expert diagnosis that comes from extensive training and experience.

Our physicians have outstanding credentials from the nation’s most prestigious medical institutions. Our non-surgical specialists provide interventional pain management, pain psychology and management, and physical therapy.

Common Neck and Back Conditions We Treat

Treatments for neck or back pain vary depending on the cause and symptoms. Pain medication or anti-inflammatory drugs can be a great first step to ease mild pain and inflammation. Heat and ice can also be helpful, with heat used for muscle tightness and spasms, and ice for sharp pains.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help patients exercise weak points in the spine and regain strength that may have been lost. This option can be used as an initial treatment or as a post-surgery treatment to help regain strength, flexibility, and movement. Each program is tailored to an individual’s condition and pain level.

Injections

Injections are a common treatment considered prior to surgery. We offer a range of injections to reduce or eliminate spine pain. These are temporary pain relievers and have yet to show permanent relief.

  • Steroid injections: Epidural steroid injections and sacroiliac joint injections.
  • Medial branch blocks: An anesthetic injection primarily used to diagnose the cause of the pain but can also be used as a short-term treatment.
  • Medial branch radiofrequency ablation: This treatment uses heat placed on the spine through a needle to disrupt the nerve’s ability to send pain signals to the brain.

If a patient’s back or neck symptoms do not respond to nonsurgical treatments or if the extent of the injuries is severe, a doctor may recommend surgery. These procedures can be performed using minimally invasive techniques, such as decompression and fusion procedures, or using open techniques.

Microdiscectomies

Microdiscectomies are common minimally invasive spine surgeries aimed at taking pressure off the nerves to relieve back pain and leg pain. This treatment used to be performed as an open surgery called a discectomy.

Spinal Fusion (Arthrodesis)

Spinal fusion surgery fuses two or more vertebrae to eliminate painful motion or restore stability to the spine. The surgery takes several hours and can be done from the front or back part of the spine. Bone grafts are used to create a bridge between the vertebrae, allowing new bone to grow. Screws and rods or plates hold the segment in place until the fusion heals. Common fusion procedures include anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Artificial Disc Replacement

Artificial disc replacement involves removing and replacing a degenerating spinal disc with an implant to help the spine retain its natural flexibility. These procedures are performed in the cervical and lumbar spine.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a common treatment for vertebral compression fractures, often seen in older patients with osteoporosis. This minimally invasive procedure utilizes a balloon inflated in the vertebral body, creating a channel for bone cement while restoring the height of the vertebral body.

Scoliosis Treatment, Adult & Pediatric

Spinal surgery is sometimes needed for severe or rapidly worsening scoliosis. Surgery for scoliosis involves inserting two metal rods with screws and hooks to hold the spine in place until the bone heals together. Our center specializes in these complex procedures, using a multidisciplinary approach for optimal outcomes.

Tumor Removal

If a tumor can be removed with minimal risk of nerve damage, surgery may be recommended. Advances in technology and techniques have expanded the number of tumors that can be removed, which were once considered inoperable.

Laminectomy

Laminectomy surgery removes certain parts of the vertebral bone to increase space within the spinal canal and relieve pressure.

Cervical Laminoplasty

A laminoplasty is a spinal canal expansive procedure retaining the outer covering of the spinal canal. This procedure is commonly performed for multiple-level cervical stenosis in the neck.

Laminotomy

A laminotomy removes a portion of the spine bone that covers the spinal canal, decompressing the neural elements to relieve pressure.

Foraminotomy

A foraminotomy removes bone or tissue in the neuroforamen, the passageway where nerve roots branch off the spinal cord and exit the spinal column.

Risks of Surgery

As with any surgery, there are risks associated with spinal surgeries. Prior to surgery, a Golden State Orthopedics & Spine surgeon will discuss the specific risks related to your surgery. Possible risks include infection, complications from anesthesia, nerve damage, bleeding, and stiffness.

Additional References

According to the Mayo Clinic, nonsurgical treatments for neck pain can include physical therapy, pain medication, and lifestyle changes, while surgical options may be necessary for more severe conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) highlights the importance of a thorough diagnostic process to determine the best course of treatment, whether it be conservative management or surgical intervention. Johns Hopkins Medicine emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, combining the expertise of various specialists to provide comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s needs.

By integrating these authoritative references, we ensure that our approach to spinal care is both evidence-based and patient-centered, providing the highest quality treatment for our patients.