ABSTRACT
Most patients with acute cervical radiculopathy due to cervical disc herniation may improve without surgery. Conservative therapy, consisting of anti-inflammatory medications, pain medications, and resting, should be utilized before making the surgical decision. If surgical treatment is indicated, an anterior cervical discectomy with fusion or arthroplasty is the gold standard approach. This allows for decompression of the spinal canal in cervical disc herniations and/or spinal and foraminal stenosis through a small cervical skin incision with the help of a microscope. Cervical spondylosis and disc degeneration can lead to radiculopathy and myelopathy from progressive foraminal and central stenosis. Decompression of a degenerative spine can yield cervical instability. Most patients experience varying degrees of relief of their previous symptoms and have great improvement in functionality, which is often further improved with physical and occupational therapy after recovery. Advanced practice health professionals play an important role in guiding patients and families through the surgical process.
