Intervertebral discs provide cushioning between the bones of the vertebrae, allowing motion between them so that the spine can flex, extend and rotate. These discs, made of a spongy core called the nucleus pulposus surrounded by cartilaginous rings, are subject to damage due to trauma or wear and tear. When a disc erodes, it can herniate, causing symptoms that require surgery. Complications can arise when a disc in the neck is treated.
Anesthesia Complications
Most surgeries require the use of anesthesia, and whenever general anesthesia is administered, there is a risk of complications, according to the Maryland Spine Center. Allergies to the medications used, pre-existing medical conditions and medical mistakes can all contribute to increased risk of complications when a person.
Nerve Damage
The proximity of the spinal nerve roots to the vertebral discs makes them particularly vulnerable to damage during neck disc surgery. The peripheral nerves emerge from the spinal cord through openings between the vertebrae called foramen. The discs help keep the vertebrae appropriately spaced, thus maintaining the size of the foramen through which the nerves pass. When a disc is operated upon, the nerve may be damaged during the surgical procedure itself or may experience compression afterward due to alteration in the size of the foramen.
Dr. Richard Staehler of Spine-Health adds that the recurrent laryngeal nerve is sometimes negatively affected by neck disc surgery. This nerve, which supplies the voice box, can cause vocal hoarseness when damaged, a condition that may take up to 3 months to resolve.
Damage to the Throat
Surgery to the discs of the neck can cause complications that affect the structures elsewhere in the neck. These include the trachea and blood vessels that are located in the front of the throat, along with the thyroid gland and larynx.
Failure to Eliminate Symptoms
Perhaps the most frustrating complication of neck disc surgery is its failure to evoke the desired response. This can occur due to a lack of skill on the part of the surgeon, according to Atlantic Spinal Care, or to inaccurate diagnosis. It is also possible the hardware implanted to stabilize the vertebrae has failed or that the bone graft used in spinal fusion has failed to take hold. Staehler notes that about five percent of cervical spinal fusions fail.
If neck disc surgery fails, symptoms such as dull aching pain in the neck area or sharp pain that radiates into the arms may continue.
