Cervical degenerative disc disease can develop as bones in the neck age and form bone spurs. These spurs then can pinch the spinal cord or other nerves. The result can be pain in the neck or arms and weakness in the arms and legs.

The discs throughout your spine are doughnut-shaped, spongy cushions that fit between each vertebra to absorb shock and tie the vertebrae together to ease bending and twisting.

Nonsurgical treatments often can relieve pain from cervical degenerative disc disease.

The combined team of orthopedic spine and neuroscience specialists at Norton Leatherman spine has internationally recognized expertise in cervical degenerative disorders, including cervical degenerative disc disease. Their expertise and training allow them to know when surgery isn’t needed and when, as a last resort, it’s the only option to relieve debilitating pain.

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms

• Neck pain that’s typically low-grade with stiffness, but occasionally can be severe
• Pain that radiates to the upper back and shoulder blades
• Radiculopathy, or pain that radiates into one or both arms and is caused by compression and inflammation of a nerve
• Numbness and tingling that radiates into the arms, hands and fingers; can interfere with daily activities, such as holding objects or dressing

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment

With a combination of nonsurgical, surgical and innovative techniques, we can help relieve neck and arm pain, allowing you to move more easily. If the bone spurs are pressing on the spinal cord, surgery may relieve the pressure and prevent symptoms from worsening.

Nonsurgical Treatment Options

• Observation may be an option for minor cervical degenerative disorders that aren’t getting worse or causing significant difficulties. Observation includes visits at regular intervals to ensure the condition isn’t progressing.
• Prescription medication can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy can improve symptoms.
• Injections can treat pain and reduce swelling.

Surgical Options for Severe Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

Your physician may recommend surgery if the condition causes pain or weakness, or if it worsens.

• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
• Cervical disc replacement
• Posterior cervical decompression and/or fusion
• Computer-assisted navigation and robotic-assisted surgery provides high precision for complex cervical spine surgery.

Spine Care From World-renowned Specialists

Norton Leatherman Spine is a world-renowned program delivering groundbreaking care and treatment for back, neck and spine conditions and procedures.

• Nationally recognized spine surgery fellowship program with over 150 trained fellows
• First in the world to perform robotic spine surgery using the Medtronic Mazor X Stealth Edition, demonstrating leadership in surgical innovations
• First health system in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence by DNV
• First in the state of Kentucky to use the EOS Imaging system, a high-resolution image system with 50% to 85% less radiation exposure than traditional X-rays and CT scans
• More than 4,000 surgeries performed each year
• Recognized as a national benchmark for patient-reported outcome measures against spine surgeons across the nation, ensuring high-quality, data-driven care
• A team of 45 highly regarded specialists, including orthopedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons and pain management specialists
• Internationally recognized leaders in clinical research of spinal disease, injury and deformity, opioid management, spine surgical innovations, scoliosis and more
• Specialists who have served in senior positions in the Scoliosis Research Society, the prestigious organization for scoliosis surgeons around the world
• Kenton D. Leatherman, M.D., the program namesake, was the first doctor in Kentucky to repair scoliosis surgically