ACL Tears And How Arthroscopic Surgery Can Help
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a vital ligament in the knee joint that provides stability and prevents excessive forward movement. ACL tears are a common injury, especially among athletes. An ACL tear can be extremely debilitating, leading to pain, instability, and limitations in daily activities and sports participation. While physical therapy (PT) and rehabilitation can be effective in some cases, surgical intervention is often necessary. When ACL surgery is required, an arthroscopic procedure is often recommended to revitalize the knee.
Understanding cervical degenerative discs
The spine is made of several bones called vertebrae stacked together. Between each pair lies a disc that helps with movement and shock absorption. When degenerative discs are mentioned, the lower back typically comes to mind, but the neck, or cervical spine, also contains intervertebral discs. These discs can shift out of place or degenerate due to wear and tear, poor posture, or injury. The damaged disc presses on nerves, causing pain, numbness, stiffness, and weakness in the neck. Sometimes, the affected nerve leads to referred pain in the head or chronic headaches.
What does treatment look like?
An orthopedic specialist or surgeon will confirm if the issue is related to the cervical disc. Common diagnostic options include physical tests, x-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Doctors will try to avoid surgery, relying first on conservative treatment such as pain medication, physical therapy (PT), and lifestyle modifications. For moderate to severe pain, epidural steroid injections or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) provide more long-term relief. These treatments can work but may fail to address the underlying issue. Moreover, there are cases where the condition worsens, requiring surgical intervention.
Turning to ACDF
Spinal surgery can provide long-term relief by addressing the damaged disc causing pain. An experienced surgeon will recommend anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) to reduce pain and improve functionality. ACDF is a 2-step procedure where the surgeon uses small incisions to reach the vertebrae from the front of the neck. After moving muscles, tissue, and other obstructions, the surgeon will remove the damaged disc. The next step involves preparing to fuse the affected vertebra. The surgeon will use a combination of metal pins and plates to hold the bones in place. Over time, the bones fuse into a solid piece, alleviating pressure on the nearby nerves.
Considerations and success rates
Patients undergoing ACDF surgery require several weeks of recovery, including PT. In 8-12 weeks, patients can resume work and some normal activities. Over the next several months, the bones begin to fuse. The doctor will monitor the progress via periodic checkups. There are different considerations and risks to consider. For instance, the patient may lose some range of motion (ROM) in the neck. There is also a chance of complications, including failed fusions. The doctor and patient will discuss the risks and benefits to make an informed decision. Statistics show ACDF has a high success rate with minimal complications as a result of using minimally invasive surgery (MIS) to perform the procedure.
Get better with ACDF
Chronic headaches can limit and affect a person’s finances, social life, health, and work. There are multiple reasons for headaches, so the doctor and patient must find the underlying cause first. ACDF surgery is a practical option if degenerative discs are present and do not respond to conservative treatment. After surgery, chronic headache pain should be a problem of the past.
