A large portion of neck pain develops as a result of degenerative changes that occur in the intervertebral discs and the joints of your cervical spine. Natural degeneration is common in the neck area, especially after decades of movement and stress, but this wear and tear can be exacerbated by poor posture or regularly hunching forward to look at a cell phone or computer screen. The early stages of this degeneration can typically be managed with non-operative techniques like physical therapy and posture improvements, but if it continues to progress, vertebral segments may shift, which can put excessive pressure on the spinal cord.
In these instances, a spine specialist like Dr. Sinicropi may recommend a procedure called a spinal corpectomy. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at how the spinal corpectomy procedure is performed.
The Basics Of A Spinal Corpectomy
If degenerative changes in the spine are putting excessive pressure on your spinal cord, your specialist may recommend a spinal corpectomy. For example, a shifted vertebral body may lead to the onset of spinal stenosis, putting pressure on key spinal nerves and threatening your spinal cord. The corpectomy works by removing the vertebral segment or segments that are causing this pressure to help decompress the spinal cord.
During a corpectomy, the surgeon will make a 2-3 inch incision on the front or side of your neck. They will then carefully maneuver around soft tissues in order to access the shifted vertebral section. Once in position, your surgeon will remove part of the vertebral body and the spinal discs that are putting pressure on your spinal canal.
After the offending structures have been removed, your surgeon needs to fill the empty space to help preserve the integrity of your spinal column. In many instances, they do this with the help of a bone graft. Many patients will have the bone graft harvested from a different area of their body like their pelvis or leg (an autograft), but it may also be taken from a donor or a cadaver (allograft).
Once inserted into this space, the bone actually starts to stimulate new bone growth, which will eventually join (or fuse) the upper and lower vertebrae to one another. This bone graft is typically held in place by additional hardware like plates and screws. This helps to ensure the spine remains strong and stable, although you will have less flexibility in this region due to the bone fusion. Many patients are more than willing to sacrifice a small amount of flexibility if it puts an end to their painful movement.
Because of the intricate nature of the procedure and the time it will take for the bone graft to complete the fusion, your recovery will be measured in months, not weeks. Although your specific recovery plan will be dictated by your spine specialist, many patients can expect to wear a cervical collar and have limited activity for the first month. Physical therapy sessions typically begin in month two and continue regularly for a few months. Assuming all goes as expected with your surgery and recovery, you may be able to return to normal physical activities six months post-op.
A corpectomy and fusion procedure can help make neck movements comfortable and pain-free once again, but it is only reserved for patients with severe degeneration that compromises the safety of this spinal cord. If this sounds like you, or you’re looking for information or assistance treating another spinal issue, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
