Some diseases of the spine may only require treatment and rehab, while worse cases may necessitate surgery. Among the abnormalities that an MRI scan of the cervical spine can show are tumors, bone defects, aneurysms, structural damages to the soft tissues, abnormal curvature, spinal deformities, and spinal birth defects.
Most people undergoing an MRI scan of the cervical spine will typically show some level of wear and tear in this area. However, some will develop damage to the spine earlier and at much faster rates, particularly when one or more of the following causes and risk factors are present or experienced:
Based on the best available data, cervical spine surgery is generally safe. Based on a limited population study, none of the patients undergoing cervical spine surgery experienced complications during and after the operation. The researchers concluded that this was the result of proper surgery preparation and co-morbidity management. To satisfy these conditions, it is imperative that you coordinate closely with your physicians, most especially if you have other comorbidities that may affect the success of your operation.
When the condition progresses in spite of therapy and medication, this condition may lead to severe compression of the spinal cord. Results may lead to myelopathy which can manifest as loss of coordination, chronic weakness, pain, or numbness. If not properly managed, severe stenosis of the cervical spine may cause permanent nerve damage, disability, and death.
Clayton, JL, et.al (2012). Risk factors for cervical spine injury. Injury J. 2012 Apr;43(4):431-5. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2011.06.022. Epub