Cervical Spondylosis

Injuries don’t keep office hours. When its urgent, get diagnosed and recover fast when you go straight to the orthopedic experts with Ortho After Hours.

As premier hip and knee replacement surgeons in Charleston, SC, Dr. Zimlich and Dr. Stem alleviate patient pain and discomfort using innovative techniques and technologies. Concentrating exclusively on knee and hip replacement, the Lowcountry Orthopaedics Hip and Knee Specialists operate at the Lowcountry Orthopaedics Surgery Center and area hospitals per patient preference.

Top rated for eight years in a row as Charleston’s Choice for best orthopedic surgeons, countless of satisfied patients walk away with a pain free, natural feeling knee or hip. From custom total knee arthroplasty using 3D printing to the area’s first and only outpatient surgery center based robotic knee replacement program, patients trust Lowcountry Orthopaedics Hip and Knee Specialists.

Signature services include:

  • Custom total knee arthroplasty using 3D printing
  • Same day robotic knee replacement program
  • Personalized joint replacement experience
  • Dedicated team of nurses, physician assistants, and physical therapists
  • Proven outcomes for quick recovery and pain-free lives

Same day appointments are available at one of our convenient North Charleston, Summerville, or Daniel Island locations.

Treatment

Cervical spondylosis is a condition much like other diseases. Although it cannot be cured, it can be managed in most cases like other diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure).

Medications

To reduce inflammation, either over the counter or prescription NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Spinal Injections

Corticosteroid (cortisone) injections reduce inflammation within the spinal canal and reduce irritation of the nerves. People with mild to moderate cervical spondylosis can have long-term relief from these injections

Physical Therapy

To reduce stiffness, improve range of motion and to stabilize the neck muscles.

Surgery

Surgery is always a last resort and is usually only performed when there is radiculopathy or myelopathy. Surgery includes decompressing the spinal canal by removing any bone spurs or bulging discs that are pinching nerves and fusing the disc spaces by placing a spacer in the disc to bring the height up to normal.

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Causes

Most discs in the neck will degenerate to some degree with aging. Almost everyone over 40-50 years of age will have some degree of cervical spondylosis, although it does not necessarily cause pain in most people. Others will have underlying spondylosis that is activated by an injury to the neck.

Symptoms

  • Neck pain: The most common symptom. It may involve pain in between the shoulder blades, stiffness, and loss of movement in the neck.
  • Radiculopathy (pinched nerve): Causes pain in one or both arms and may involve numbness or weakness of the arms or hands
  • Myelopathy (spinal cord compression): Pain, weakness, numbness in the arms, balance problems, and spasticity in the arms or legs. Urinary problems may occur in advanced cases

Diagnostics

  • X-rays to show a narrowing of the disc and bone spurs
  • MRI may show if there is a pinched nerve or pressure in the spinal canal
  • Neurologic testing EMG/nerve conduction studies to determine if there is any nerve damage and to rule out other conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or ulnar neuropathy

Lowcountry Orthopaedics’ Spine Team

Christopher Battista, MD

Christopher Battista, MD

Spine Surgeon

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Don Stovall, Jr, MD

Don Stovall, Jr, MD

Spine Surgeon

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Carey Lennon, PA-C

Carey Lennon, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Kylie Smith, FNP

Kylie Smith, FNP

Nurse Practitioner

Hip & Knee Specialists

Fast forward to feeling better with Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine’s board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons that specialize in joint reconstruction and hip and knee surgery.

Same Day Appointments

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Same-Day Joint Replacement

The benefits of same-day total hip or knee replacement surgery include fast recovery, lower risk of infection, no risk of hospital-acquired illness, cost reduction, and increased patient satisfaction. Patients interested in same-day joint surgery should schedule an evaluation with Dr. Zimlich to review their medical profile for candidacy.

Joint Replacement Surgery
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