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Is Fusion Of The Spine Necessary When There Is No Instability In The Cervical Spine?

Posted on Tue, 4 Jan 2022

Question: To the attention of Dr XXXXXXX Spaho
Dr. Spaho this is Pauline Mazzola. Our previous Q& A session was closed out before I could send u the Dynamic X-rays of the cervical spine as we last discussed. The X-ray is now in the same drop box as the mri & ct scans. It’s at Dropbox.com / XXXXXXX Mazzola. You should received an e-mail.
Can u please take a look at this dynamic X-ray & let me know if u see any disc/vertebrae slippage of the cervical spine? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is no instability.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I examined the dynamic x-rays that you uploaded.

There is no slippage/instability in your cervical spine, so, a fusion of the spine is not a must.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (16 hours later)

Thanks for replying Dr. Spaho. I appreciate ur help & patience.
What r ur thoughts about the efficacy of stem cell or PRP treatment for herniated discs?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

PRP is mainly used to treat herniated disc disease, but also may have a good outcome in degenerative disc disease.

Stem cell therapy for degenerative disc disease is still under study about its efficacy.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (25 hours later)

Thanks for your response Dr. Spaho. It’s appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Glad I helped you.

Feel free to discuss with me about your health issues.

In good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (32 minutes later)

Dr. Spaho based on what you have seen so far, what are your thoughts on cervical disc replacement or laser discectomy?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Laser discectomy may be tried first.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Since there is no significant disc protruded or herniated, I think laser discectomy ( or burning of the nucleus pulposus ) should be tried first because it is an outpatient procedure and may avoid the necessity for surgical discectomy and replacement.

Hope this helps.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (12 hours later)

Dr Spaho thanks for your reply.
How effective is the use of laser discectomy in treating bulging/herniated discs in the cervical spine. Generally speaking, does this procedure have good outcome rate for treating this kind of spinal condition?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It could result in improvement with little chances of risk.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.

Based on some studies, this procedure (laser discectomy) appears effective in controlling symptoms in a high percentage of patients.

Since the risks are very low compared with surgery and the possibility to improve significantly after it, I think it could be tried in the first place.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee