3 Surgical Options for a Pinched Nerve in Your Neck (Which Is Best?)

🦴 Pinched Nerve in Your Neck? Which Surgery Is Best? If you have a pinched nerve in your cervical spine (neck), you may have been told you need surgery. But did you know there are THREE different surgical options that may help? In this video, I break down the three major surgical approaches for treating cervical radiculopathy (a pinched nerve in the neck): 🔹 1. Cervical Fusion (ACDF or PCDF) – A well-established surgical option that decompresses nerves and stabilizes the spine. 🔹 2. Cervical Disc Replacement (CDA) – An alternative to fusion that removes the problematic disc while preserving motion at the treated level. 🔹 3. Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy – A motion-preserving procedure performed from the back of the neck to decompress a pinched nerve without fusion. 🔍 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: ✅ The differences between cervical fusion, disc replacement, and posterior cervical foraminotomy ✅ Why standing X-rays and cervical alignment matter when choosing surgery ✅ How MRI findings help determine which operation may be appropriate ✅ The advantages and disadvantages of each surgical option ✅ Why your symptoms, X-rays, and MRI must be considered together before recommending surgery ⚠️ IMPORTANT: There is no single best surgery for everyone. The ideal procedure depends on your anatomy, symptoms, imaging findings, and individual circumstances. 👨‍⚕️ ABOUT DR. DONNALLY I’m Chester J. Donnally III, MD, a board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeon practicing in Dallas, Texas. My goal is to help patients understand their spine conditions and make more informed decisions about treatment. 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Have you been offered a cervical fusion or disc replacement? Were you aware that posterior cervical foraminotomy might also be an option for selected patients? Share your experience or questions in the comments! 👍 If you found this video helpful, LIKE it, SUBSCRIBE for more educational spine surgery content, and SHARE it with someone dealing with neck pain or arm pain. 📌 Medical Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized medical advice. Not every procedure is appropriate for every patient. A qualified spine specialist should evaluate your symptoms, examination, and imaging before recommending treatment. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Surgery for stenosis 00:51 - Anatomy 01:51 - Causes of pinched nerves 03:30 - Option 1: FUSION 04:05 - ACDF Indications 05:11 - Disc Replacement Indications (CDA/CDR) 05:47 - Facet Arthritis Impact (on CDA) 06:25 - Cord Injury and CDAs? 07:06 - OPTION 3- Foraminotomy?? 08:02 - Foraminotomy Indications 08:53 - Foraminotomy Downsides 09:17 - Ultrasonic Option 09:30 - RANKING the OPTIONS 09:58 - 3 Factors that determine surgery TYPE #NeckSurgery #CervicalDiscReplacement #SpineSurgery #PinchedNerve