Posterior Cervical Fusion (PCF) Specialist

What can cause pain?

There are several primary causes of cervical spine problems. The majority of the symptoms are caused by disc, bone, or ligaments pressing onto the nerve roots and/or spinal cord.

Degenerative  disc disease (DDD)

During the natural aging process, the discs between each vertebral body can lose their flexibility, height, and elasticity. This can lead to a tear in the tough outer layer of the disc, causing the gelatinous core to bulge or herniate. As DDD advances, osteophytes (or bone spurs) may develop around the discs and joints of the spine.

Nerve compression

Cervical disc bulging or herniation can cause pressure on the nerve roots and/or spinal cord that may lead to symptoms of radiating arm, neck, and shoulder pain, loss of dexterity or motor function, and/or numbness and tingling in the hand or arm.

Spinal  cord compression

In some patients, the spinal cord can be compressed by bony osteophytes (spurs), herniated discs, or by other soft tissues such as ligaments. This is often referred to as spinal stenosis, which can lead to symptoms including: radiating arm pain, arm and hand weakness and numbness, loss of dexterity and motor function, gait instability, and neck pain.

What are treatment options?

Many symptoms can be treated without surgery including rest, heat, ice, medication, injections, and physical therapy. It is important to speak with Dr. Remi Ajiboye about your best option.

If symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment, Dr. Ajoboye may recommend spinal surgery. Surgery is reserved for those who do not gain relief from non-operative forms of treatment, patients whose symptoms are increasing or worsening, and/or patients that present with a spinal condition which indicates the need for surgery.

Can a PCF be right for me?

Dr. Ajiboye may determine that the PCF procedure is a good option for you if you require an interbody fusion, are skeletally mature, and have received at least six weeks of nonsurgical treatment.

Conversely, Dr. Ajiboye may determine that a PCF procedure is not a good option for you if you are not a good candidate for fusion surgery in general due to other medical conditions. These conditions can be due to sensitivity to general anesthesia, inability to tolerate a prone position, inadequate bone quality, or other indications.

If you’re looking for a minimally invasive spine specialist in Torrance, Long Beach and El Segundo, who also serves the surrounding communities of South Bay, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Lomita, San Pedro, Carson, Lawndale, Gardena, Hawthorne, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Inglewood, Ladera Heights, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Los Alamitos, Westminster, Garden Grove, Lakewood, Cerritos, Bellflower, Downey, Paramount, Bellflower, Norwalk, Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange, Tustin, Fullerton, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and greater Los Angeles county and Orange County, contact Remi Ajiboye, MD, online or over the phone to set up an appointment.