Chronic neck pain is a condition that is often very difficult to tolerate. It may decrease the person's quality of life and make keeping up with a normal daily routine nearly impossible. Sometimes chronic neck pain can be relieved by taking medications, getting lots of rest and going through physical therapy treatments. However, if these treatments do not relieve chronic neck pain, it may be necessary to have surgery for this condition. These are some different types of surgery that are commonly performed to relieve chronic neck pain.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy 

One of the most common types of surgery that is performed to relieve neck pain is the anterior cervical discectomy. This is done when a patient has a herniated disc in the neck that is pinching a nerve.

The surgeon makes an incision in the front of the neck that is close to the windpipe to perform this surgery. They remove the herniated disc or any bone spurs that are causing the pain though this incision. Then they use a piece of bone form the patient's hip, from a bone donor or a piece of other material to fill the space where the disc was removed from. This bone or other material is then fused to the patient's vertebrae to hold that area of the spine stable properly.

Laminectomy 

A laminectomy is a type of surgery that is performed to help relieve pain caused by pressure on the nerve roots or the spinal cord. There are bony plates on the back side of the vertebrae known as laminae that cover and protect the spinal cord. 

This surgery is done by making an incision in the vertebrae and removing parts of the bony plates to relieve pain and pressure on the spine. The incision is normally made on the back of the neck to give the surgeon easier access to the area where the laminae need to be removed from.

Laminoplasty 

Laminoplasty is a surgical procedure that is used to give relief to those who have spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces in the spinal canal become too narrow and cause pain and pressure on the spinal cord and nerves of the neck or back. 

When laminoplasty is performed. an incision is made in the back of the neck to enlarge the spinal canal. The vertical laminae are reconstructed so that the space in the spinal cord is widened and the pain and pressure is relieved.

Cervical Spinal Fusion 

Chronic neck pain may also occur if the vertebrae in the neck are grinding against each other and become worn due to a herniated disc. When this occurs a procedure known as cervical spinal fusion is performed.

This involves making an incision in the back of the neck and using a bone graft or piece of surgical metal to join the worn vertebrae together so they will grow back together correctly over time.

When these types of neck surgery are performed, the patient may need to remain hospitalized for a while. The patient may also need to wear a neck brace to support the neck after returning home until the neck has healed properly.

For more information, contact a professional in your area or visit a website like http://swfna.com.