Cervical spondylolisthesis is a common health issue that affects many individuals and leads to chronic neck pain. This herniation occurs when one of the vertebrae in the neck region slips out of its normal position. This puts pressure on the surrounding nerves and causes pain that sometimes radiates to the shoulders and arms.
The importance of seeking a definitive treatment for neck pain in Turkey has increased, as this country has become a leading destination thanks to its advanced medical technologies and specialized spinal experts. In this article, we will review the causes and symptoms of cervical spondylolisthesis and highlight the latest available treatments in Turkey to achieve complete healing and restore quality of life.
An overview of cervical spondylolisthesis
Spinal slippage creates pressure on the neural structures in the spinal column, threatening their integrity. If permanent damage occurs due to untreated conditions for an extended period, the patient may have lifelong disability. Hence, the importance of prompt treatment.
Treatment for bulging discs in the neck in Turkey includes modern and varied non-surgical options. For critical cases, skilled surgeons perform surgical procedures in the best hospitals in Istanbul.
Mechanism of cervical spondylolisthesis
The human spine consists of stacked bone segments called vertebrae. The alignment of these vertebrae on top of each other is kept stable and supported by ligaments and muscles to prevent them from moving out of place.
The alignment of the vertebrae creates a bony tunnel called the spinal canal, which houses the spinal cord—the nerves responsible for sensation and movement in the trunk and limbs.
Dislocated discs in the neck and disruption of their alignment above each other lead to distortion of the spinal canal containing the spinal cord and pressure from the displaced vertebra.
As a result, inflammation begins at the site of compression, leading to sensory and motor impairments in specific areas of the body depending on the affected nerve, resulting in the manifestation of symptoms of spondylolisthesis.
The most common site for spondylolisthesis is slippage in the lumbar vertebrae below the lower back, especially the fifth vertebra (the slippage occurs between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae). This is followed by cervical spondylolisthesis, where symptoms often manifest in the upper limbs.
Between each pair of vertebrae lies a cartilaginous disc that facilitates movement and reduces friction between the vertebrae. This intervertebral disc may herniate from its place (disc herniation), causing symptoms similar to those of spinal slippage due to its pressure on the spinal cord.
Causes of cervical spondylolisthesis
The causes of slipped discs in the neck are varied, and each requires a different treatment approach. These causes include:
- Vertebral degeneration: The most common cause of cervical disc herniation occurs due to aging, where the discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity, dry out, and become unable to stabilize the cervical vertebrae in place, leading to slippage.
- Stress fractures: These fractures occur due to continuous pressure on the vertebrae with muscular tension, causing tiny cracks in the vertebrae and leading to a herniated disc in the neck.
- Bone-weakening diseases, Such as bone cancers or metastatic tumors to the bones, result in bone fractures and subsequent slippage of the cervical vertebrae.
- Congenital deformities: Some severe bone formations lead to improper alignment of the vertebrae and instability in their place.
- Injuries: Severe injuries to the cervical spine can cause a serious disc prolapse in the neck, requiring caution and speed in transferring the patient to the hospital and promptly repairing the slippage and receiving treatment (car accidents are the most common examples of this type for the person driving the car).
- Surgery: In rare cases, surgical interventions may cause problems, leading to a protruding disc in the neck.
Cervical spondylolisthesis treatment in Turkey
Cervical spondylolisthesis is initially treated using home treatment methods, often healing the patient. However, if the patient does not respond to non-surgical treatment for cervical disc herniation, surgery may be necessary.
Non-surgical treatment of cervical spondylolisthesis
Non-surgical treatment for cervical spondylolisthesis involves multiple therapeutic approaches to improve and treat symptoms without subjecting the patient to the risks of surgery, including:
- Correcting bad habits: Avoiding uncomfortable neck positions for prolonged periods exacerbates cervical disc herniation. Therefore, these positions should be avoided, and the patient’s neck should be rested.
- Pain relievers: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are common pain relievers. More potent pain relievers, such as opioids, may be used in severe cases to treat neck pain.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy is a step in treating cervical disc herniation without resorting to surgery. This therapy involves exercises to align the cervical vertebrae and strengthen the muscles, thus improving the slippage symptoms.
- Neck collar: Used to treat cervical disc herniation by restricting its movement until fractures heal or the slippage improves in the patient. It should not be worn for too long, as it weakens the neck muscles.
- Local injections: Pain-relieving substances are injected into the pain site to alleviate or eliminate pain. Sometimes, local injections are the best treatment option.
Surgical treatment of cervical spondylolisthesis in Turkey
If non-surgical treatment for the cervical spondylolisthesis is ineffective and the patient’s symptoms persist despite using pain-relieving injections, or if the patient seeks a definitive solution, cervical herniated disc surgery becomes necessary.
While these surgeries carry some risks when performed by skilled surgeons, the success rates are high, and patients experience significant improvement. Contact us to find the best hospitals and the most skilled surgeons in Turkey.
Surgical procedures for spinal disc herniation in the neck include:
Decompression of vertebrae
This procedure involves removing the part or parts of the vertebrae that compress the nerves, thereby releasing and alleviating the pressure on the nerve. This relieves the patient’s symptoms and improves pain, slippage, and other symptoms.
Stabilization of vertebrae
Here, the slippage in the cervical spine is treated by repositioning the vertebrae and then stabilizing them in place using metal pieces initially to prevent re-slippage and restore the vertebrae’s natural alignment.
Subsequently, a bone graft is placed between the slipped vertebra and the adjacent one, which induces bone fusion between these two vertebrae. This forms a bony substance between them, similar to the mechanism of bone fracture healing. This prevents re-slippage and provides a permanent solution to cervical vertebrae slippage.
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