Neck Pain Surgical Options — When Is Surgery Necessary?

What kinds of surgery are there for neck pain?
Common neck surgeries include:

• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) — Removal of a herniated or degenerative disc with fusion of vertebrae
• Cervical Disc Replacement — Replacing a damaged disc with an artificial one
• Posterior Cervical Laminectomy or Foraminotomy — Relieving pressure on nerves by removing bone or soft tissue
• Cervical Spinal Fusion — Stabilizing the spine by fusing two or more vertebrae

Do I need surgery for my neck pain?
Surgery is usually considered only when:

• There is significant nerve compression causing weakness or severe pain
• Non-invasive treatments have failed
• The condition threatens spinal cord function
  Most cases of neck pain improve with non-surgical treatments. Surgery is generally a last resort.

What are the different types of neck surgery?

• Discectomy — Removing part or all of a disc
• Fusion Surgery — Fusing vertebrae to stabilize the spine
• Disc Replacement — Implanting artificial discs
• Laminectomy — Removing part of the vertebra to relieve nerve pressure
• Foraminotomy — Enlarging spaces where nerves exit the spine

What is the recovery time for neck surgery?

• Discectomy or Laminectomy: 4–6 weeks for light activities
• Fusion Surgery: Up to 3 months for full recovery
• Disc Replacement: 4–8 weeks depending on the procedure
  Recovery times vary depending on the surgery type, patient health, and rehabilitation.

What are the risks of neck surgery?

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Nerve damage or spinal cord injury
• Failure to relieve pain
• Need for additional surgery in future
• Fusion-related stiffness

What are the benefits of neck surgery?

• Relief of nerve-related pain, numbness, or weakness
• Improved mobility and function
• Prevention of worsening spinal cord or nerve damage
• Reduced risk of permanent disability in severe cases

When should I consider seeing a non-surgical pain management doctor first?
At The Pain Relief Clinic, we advise most patients to explore comprehensive, non-invasive options like:

• Spinal decompression therapy
• Shockwave therapy
• Radiofrequency treatment
• Targeted rehabilitation and strengthening

This approach can often help avoid or delay the need for surgery.