If you have severe neck pain and other treatment options have not resolved your discomfort, Dr. Lewis at the Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic may recommend a surgical solution. Posterior cervical decompression and stabilization, also known as DTRAX, is a minimally invasive surgery that uses instruments to stabilize and decompress the spine in your neck.
You may benefit from posterior cervical decompression and stabilization under the following conditions:
If you suffer from severe neck pain, you may wonder what your options are in terms of getting relief. Dr. Lewis uses tiny surgical instruments to prepare the surface of your neck spine for fusion. A set of surgical instruments smaller than one centimeter in diameter is used to prepare the bony surfaces of the cervical spine for fusion. This allows for the placement of cages that helped fuse this area.
Implants separate and cushion different parts of the spine and create space to avoid pinched and irritated nerves. They also add stability to the spine to facilitate the healing process.
This minimally invasive procedure preserves tissue in the neck by reducing the trauma to muscles and other structures. It also reduces the scarring and shortens the recovery timeline. If you undergo this procedure, you may experience less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay than more traditional methods.
At the Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic, Dr. Lewis uses this technique to alleviate the condition causing your pain. Following the installation of DTRAX devices, you may need less pain medication and get out of the hospital in one to three days.
Before you go home, health care professionals will ensure that you can complete the following activities on your own:
Your hospital stay may depend on completing these activities comfortably along with other circumstances related to your case.
It is possible that you may experience temporary constipation after surgery. Decreased activity and a reaction to your pain medication may be the cause for constipation. To ensure regular bowel movements, eat fruit and cereal and drink plenty of fluids to keep your system active.
This procedure typically does not require a neck collar. However, if you go home with a neck collar, follow the instructions carefully. Make sure that the collar fits and doesn’t damage your skin. If you have any issues with your collar or any other problems post-surgery, reach out to Dr. Lewis for advice and information.
Contact the Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic to learn more about Posterior Cervical Decompression and Stabilization – DTRAX. Call us at (601) 366-1011 today to schedule a consultation. We’ll find a solution that works for you.