The cervical spine, or the neck, has some of the most important bones in the body. Neck pain can be debilitating, and for some patients it will not go away. The most common chronic problems affecting the cervical spine are disk herniation and spondylosis, both leading to damage at the joint that cushions the bones of the cervical spine, which can push on nerves causing symptoms like pain and numbness. Many patients can manage their pain with medications, exercises, and a healthy lifestyle (because smoking is very bad for the spine) but surgery for the problem is becoming safer and more accessible. Dr. Tanvir Choudhri specialized in these types of surgeries, and thinks that as they improve they hold great promise for an aging population.
