NEUROSURGERY BLOG

What are the Goals of Neck Surgery?

When it comes to neck surgery, the objectives are clear: alleviate pain, numbness, or tingling in the arm, and restore as much function, sensation and strength as possible, and ensure the stability of the cervical spine.

As Boise's most trusted neurosurgeon, Dr. Johans strives to enhance your overall quality of life through tailored, minimally invasive procedures. Let's dive deeper into what neck surgery, particularly cervical disc replacement, can achieve for those struggling with debilitating arm & shoulder pain.

Dr. Johans is a Diplomat and Fellow of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons, board certified in Pain Management and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. He began his neurosurgical career in 1988 and has been practicing in Boise since 1993. With these credentials, you can trust that Dr. Johans has the specialized knowledge and experience to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

He is a dedicated family man who is heavily involved in his community, is involved in several hospital boards and committees and takes pride in being a faith-driven person. Dr. Johans has had a 3 level neck fusion and can discuss options from his vast personal experience.

We also work closely with other non-surgeons if necessary so that our patients can access all available resources when making decisions regarding their treatment plans. Additionally, our team is always prompt in responding to inquiries and addressing patients' concerns throughout their recovery process. Reviews on Google and Healthgrades show that many individuals who have sought treatment from Dr. Johans have found success in his treatments while feeling comfortable and supported throughout their experiences at our office.

What Does Neck Surgery Do?

The most successful result of neck surgery is to target and reduce or eliminate the root cause of your discomfort, causing arm, shoulder pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness—stemming from conditions like cervical radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. By carefully removing herniated discs, decompressing spinal nerves, or replacing unstable vertebrae, cervical disc replacement, and/or cervical decompression followed by fusion, provides significant relief and stability to your arms or shoulders, and potentially lessen the discomfort in your neck.

Achieving a pain-free state is our primary goal, although it's important to maintain realistic expectations. While complete eradication of pain in the neck might not be feasible in more severe cases, substantial symptom reduction is often within reach. Most patients feel little to no pain, numbness or weakness in their arms or shoulders after neck surgery.

If the patient is best suited for a disc replacement, Dr. Johans will suggest these alternatives over the traditional disc fusion. This helps patients maintain the range of motion in their neck but also reduces the need for a second fusion on the surrounding vertebrae. In 25% of cases, fusions will result in a second or third surgery in 10 years or so.

Disc Replacement vs. Fusion

a family playing together and enjoying each other's company

Can I Expect to Be Pain-Free After Neck Surgery?

The path toward living pain-free is the main objective of cervical disc replacement or disc fusion. Almost all patients experience a dramatic improvement in their symptoms post-surgery. However, the degree to which neck pain is alleviated depends on many factors, including the severity of your condition and existing nerve damage. It's crucial to understand that while arm pain, numbness, and tingling are likely to vanish, some degree of neck pain might persist depending on your individual case, other problems in your neck, and the amount of nerve damage you might already have.

For best results, do not wait too long to see Dr. Johans about your arm pain, numbness, or weakness; once sensation is lost, it is nearly impossible to regain.

Is Surgery a Cure for Neck Pain?

While not a magic potion for all neck pain, surgery offers a beacon of hope for those where conservative treatments have fallen short. Its effectiveness is conditional upon the structural issues at play, with a significant portion of patients finding resolution from their symptoms. Success, in the long term, is also influenced by your overall health, lifestyle adjustments, and adherence to a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

Remember, addressing each pain point thoroughly is critical to formulating the most effective treatment plan. Dr. Johans- role is to ensure we target the precise cause of your affliction, offering you the best possible outcome from your surgery.

Once a patient has a one level surgical fusion, patients will need another fusion 25% of the time within 10 year.

a couple riding bikes together

Contact Dr. Johans for Disc Replacement in Boise

If cervical disc replacement is a procedure you're considering, Dr. Johans is here to guide you every step of the way. My commitment is to provide personalized care that aligns with your lifestyle and health objectives.

Reach out to me directly at (208) 327-5621 or initiate your journey to recovery by completing our patient questionnaire. Together, let's explore the best treatment options tailored just for you.

Patient Questionnaire

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Testimonials

"Yesterday evening after my surgery, Dr Johans and I talked for some time. In our discussion he brought up a talk that he gave at a Salt & Light mens conference. I just watched it. I am at a loss for words, it was moving. Please pass along to Dr. Johans that I know I was fortunate to have him as my surgeon. I won't go into the details, but I walk with God, and I know for a fact that God directed me to be one of his patients, for which I am very grateful. Yes, he is doing Gods work and I pray that God will continue to bless him and his team, which is you also, for all of your excellence is making other peoples lives better. Thank you for your work and dedication to excellence."

- Pat McMonigle