At the UK HealthCare Comprehensive Spine Center, our experts work together to create the treatment plan that best fits your needs.
Treatment for craniocervical instability depends on several factors. These include the severity of the condition and its cause. In some cases, such as with mild instability caused by whiplash, we may suggest nonsurgical treatment options. These may include:
- Physical therapy
- Medicines
- Pain management
- Injections
- Massage
- Strengthening of neck musculature
When conservative treatment options don’t help or craniocervical instability is severe, we may recommend surgery. Spinal fusion stabilizes the craniocervical junction and eliminates motion.
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in effectively managing chronic back pain. At UK HealthCare, physical therapy is an integral part of many spine treatment plans. Our spine specialists work with therapy experts who specialize in musculoskeletal care. Together, they create a plan tailored for your unique needs.
A physical therapist can:
- Create a personalized exercise plan to enhance your flexibility and range of motion
- Strengthen your core muscles to maintain proper alignment
- Improve your posture
- Educate you on correct movement techniques and modifications to use during pain episodes, helping you to engage in your favorite activities while reducing the likelihood of recurring back pain
Back bracing and cervical collars support and stabilize the torso or neck while limiting motion for the spine, muscles and ligaments. Cervical collars are used to stabilize spinal fractures or after surgery, as you are recovering.
Some back braces can be made from breathable elastic or neoprene material that wraps around your torso for targeted support. An adjustable fabric fastener lets you customize the fit for optimal comfort and compression. Other braces, particularly those used for fractures, are rigid and made of hard plastic or metal. These braces minimize spine movement to allow bones to heal. A rigid brace can reduce the risk of nerve damage.
Hard collars are usually made from plexiglass or plastic. They restrict head rotation and side-to-side movement more than softer collars. They often have a chin support to allow the muscles in your neck to relax.
This surgery is performed to stop movement between two or more vertebrae in the spine.
Before your spinal fusion, you will receive general anesthesia so that you sleep during the procedure. To perform this surgery, your surgeon may access your spine in one of three ways:
- On your back or neck above the spine: You will lie on your stomach, and your surgeon will make an incision over the area and move the muscles and tissues to the side to access the spine.
- On your side: If spinal fusion is being performed on your lower back, you may lie on your side to give the surgeon the best angle to access the spine in that area.
- On the front of the neck: If spinal fusion is on the neck, your surgeon may make an incision on the front part of your neck near the side.
The vertebrae will be fused together with:
- Bone graft placed along the back of the spine
- Bone graft material added between two or more vertebrae
- Implantable cages used between the vertebrae
The doctor may also stabilize the vertebrae with cages, plates, rods or screws until the grafts heal. The surgery usually takes three to four hours.
After your surgery, you will remain in the hospital for three or four days, and you will receive pain medicine to keep you comfortable. You may wear a back brace when you leave the hospital.
After surgery, you will need to stay off work for about four to six weeks as you recover, and you will be limited to very light activity. You may need physical therapy.
If you have tried other pain relief treatments and your spinal pain hasn’t improved, spinal fusion may work as a pain relief option. However, spinal fusion doesn’t provide pain relief for everyone, and it can increase pain.