Cervical Spondylosis Treatment in Dallas

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Cervical spondylosis is a common disorder that affects the seven vertebrae in the neck region. Like many spinal conditions, it is often associated with age-related wear and tear of the discs, vertebrae, and ligaments. Dr. David W. Barnett can treat this with conservative therapies, since cervical spondylosis, on its own, seldom calls for surgical intervention.

What is Cervical Spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis is characterized by degenerative changes in the upper spinal column. As the discs become thinner, the protective cartilage wears away, causing compression of the cervical discs. When this occurs, bone spurs and inflammation can develop, resulting in pain and stiffness.

Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis symptoms may be non-existent initially but can develop gradually as the condition progresses. The most common symptom is neck pain that improves when lying down.

Other symptoms include:

Neck stiffness
Recurrent headaches
Muscle spasms in the neck
Tingling or numbness in the arms, hands, and fingers
Pain that radiates to the shoulders and arms
Grinding or popping sound when turning the neck
Weakness in the hands and upper extremities

When severe, patients may have trouble with hand weakness and numbness or experience problems with balance.

Seek medical attention after an acute onset of these symptoms. Remember that there are many non-surgical, yet highly effective cervical spondylosis treatment options.

How Is Cervical Spondylosis Diagnosed?

Dr. Barnett will discuss your medical history, previous neck injuries, and current symptoms before performing a physical examination. An accurate diagnosis may entail imaging studies such as neck X-rays or an MRI scan that can identify areas of spinal compression. Other tests may include a CT scan or nerve function assessment, depending on the patient.

Cervical Spondylosis Surgery & Non-Surgical Treatments

Non-Surgical Treatments for Cervical Spondylosis

The treatment for cervical spondylosis will depend on the severity of the condition and symptoms. Most patients can alleviate pain with non-surgical approaches like:

Specific neck exercises designed to strengthen muscles and improve range of motion
Corticosteroid injections
Muscle relaxants
NSAIDs
Ice and heat therapy

Surgery For Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis surgery is generally reserved for those who do not improve with conservative treatment. It is also an option when spondylosis is the underlying culprit for stenosis or spondylolisthesis that cause nerve root and spinal cord compression.

Dr. Barnett specializes in minimally-invasive spine surgery that aims to alleviate symptoms with a faster recovery period.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): An effective, low-risk surgery. Bone spurs are removed to eliminate compression, and the cervical vertebrae are fused.
Cervical Discectomy and Disc Replacement: The damaged disc is surgically removed and replaced with an artificial disc.

Dallas Cervical Spondylosis Specialist

Many people over the age of 50 develop cervical spondylosis or arthritis of the neck. In the absence of neurological symptoms or debilitating pain, this condition rarely calls for surgery. To learn more about cervical spondylosis treatment options in DFW, we invite you to contact Dallas neurosurgeon Dr. David Barnett to schedule a private consultation.

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What Our Patients Have to Say

From start to finish, Dr. Barnett and his staff were always informative and professional. Dr. Barnett performed my neck surgery and lower back surgery all during a pandemic and everything worked out perfect. Highly recommend Dr. Barnett. Top notch.

-Healthgrades