There are several ways patients can treat their chronic neck pain. The first, and most common, is through conservative therapies, such as rest, ice, over-the-counter pain relievers, and physical therapy. However, as we have mentioned in the past, there is only so much conservative therapy can do to alleviate neck pain. In fact, it’s imperative patients seek medical care if their pain is interfering with their quality of life. These signs and symptoms could indicate a serious health problem, like a disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or a pinched nerve.
That’s where Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine comes in – while he offers interventional therapies to reduce pain caused by spinal conditions, Dr. Giovanini specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery. His motto has always remained the same: provide patients with high quality, honest, and accurate medical care. If he truly believes you do not require surgery and can, instead, benefit from interventional pain therapy, he will surely recommend it.
Moreover, if you’re apprehensive about spine surgery and would prefer interventional therapies, such as injections, nerve blocks, or radiofrequency ablation, for treatment, he will oblige and demonstrate the effects of these therapies.
While interventional therapies can work for many patients, there is a much more permanent alternative that can provide long lasting pain relief. Minimally invasive spine surgery is an option that can produce incredible, often immediate results (not “immediate, immediate,” but patients can expect to feel substantial pain relief after the appropriate healing period). One such surgery is called posterior cervical microdecompression, and it is often performed on patients suffering from a herniated disc in their cervical spine, also known as the neck.
This surgical procedure may be a great option for patients who suffer from a herniated disc or comparable condition that causes pain, headaches, numbness, and weakness. The procedure is called “posterior” cervical microdecompression because Dr. Giovanini must access the damaged disc material through the back of the neck. During the procedure, general anesthesia is administered to ensure the patient is asleep throughout the surgery. Once the anesthesia has taken affect, Dr. Giovanini will make a small incision in the back of the neck and open the incision using special surgical tools.
With the help of a fluoroscope and other surgical equipment, Dr. Giovanini won’t have to cut vital muscles and tissues as he attempts to repair the damaged spinal disc. Once he’s reached the troubled area, he will remove portions of the damaged disc material, alleviating pressure from the spinal nerves.
After the procedure, patients are wheeled into a separate room to recover. Because this is a minimally invasive procedure, patients are often sent home to complete their recovery that same day. Patients should report any adverse side effects after their operation, such as increased pain, high fever, signs of an infection, and severe dizziness and vomiting.
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit https://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.