Surgery can significantly improve headaches associated with neck problems, according to the results of a patient survey.
The study included 1,004 patients, aged 25 to 78, who had two types of cervical neck operations -- arthroplasty (disk replacement) or arthodesis (spine fusion).
Before the surgery, 86.4 percent of the patients reported headaches -- 34.1 percent had mild headaches and 52.1 percent had severe headaches. Among the 803 patients who responded two years after surgery, 34.9 percent reported no headaches, 46.7 percent reported mild headaches, and 18.4 percent reported severe headaches, according to the survey results published in the August issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
"This is not a 'cure' for all headaches," lead author Joseph Riina, of Orthopaedics Indianapolis, said in a news release. "But if you have headaches associated with neck pain and dysfunction, surgery for the neck problem can significantly improve the related headaches. And, any time overall quality of life can be improved with surgical treatment, that is something to note."
I had spinal neck surgery in March and i have gotten rid of 90% of my mirgraines! I had lots of things wrong but luckly i had the best surgeon in DFW. I am only 30 and the mirgraines i really get now are period related!
