A respected spinal surgeon, Dr. Kristen Radcliff offers New Jersey patients minimally-invasive treatments for conditions such as disc herniations. Kristen Radcliff, MD, has extensive knowledge of the spine, and he previously served as the principal investigator in a study focused on cervical disc replacement.
Running through the neck, the cervical spine comprises seven vertebrae, each of which is separated by cervical discs. These discs contain a gel-like substance that cushions the vertebrae and stabilizes the neck, such that it can bend forward and back and turn from side to side. Functioning as a shock absorber, the discs make the spine much less stiff than it otherwise would be. With age, the cervical discs may begin to degenerate, with the nerves getting pinched as space between vertebrae narrows.
Relatively common, cervical degenerative disc disease affects approximately 60 percent of individuals past the age of 40 to some degree. The condition is characterized by decreasing neck flexibility, with stiffness and pain occurring from time to time. This can culminate in a slipped, or herniated, disc that places pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord.
