Neck surgery consideration in certain circumstances
Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center
Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors
Question
LINDA ASKS:
Is there ever a reason cervical surgery cannot be done because of where the herniation is in the neck?
Thank you
ANSWER
When intervertebral disks herniate in the neck the intervertebral disk material can end up in a variety of locations surrounding the spinal cord and nerves. The ability to remove the herniated intervertebral disk material can be more challenging in certain circumstances. It is usually not that surgery cannot be performed, but rather how difficult the surgery would be to perform and the risk associated with performing the surgery.
Andrew