Loss of cervical lordosis: What is the prognosis?
You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Normal X-Rays Studies Available Region Head & Neck Spine Upper Extremity Chest Abdomen & Pelvis Lower Extremity Study CHEST Age Newborn to 102 years Side Both Right Left Gender Both Male Female The reference X-rays you want available any time. Military neck is unlikely to improve without surgery if cervical traction is not successful. The names or some of these methods are:Īll these methods involve applying pressure on the neck to help relieve the compression in the cervical spine that is causing military neck.Ī therapist can explain the best of these options for an individual, as well as what they involve.ĭoctors may apply traction for about 7 days to achieve the right extension and decompression of the vertebrae. It may also help relax the muscles in the neck.Ĭervical traction may involve a person wearing a kind of neck brace or resting the chin upright on a type of sling. The idea behind cervical traction is to widen the spaces between the vertebrae.Ĭervical traction can help relieve the pressure on the nerve roots and lessen the symptoms of compression. Cervical tractionĪnother technique that surgeons may use is cervical traction. This approach involves the use of screws and plates to fix the vertebrae in place. This procedure involves the removal of bone or a piece of bone.Īn alternative is vertebral fixation or fusion. One type of surgery that surgeons often chose to treat military neck is osteotomy. In some situations, the surgeon may need to operate on both sides. The surgeon may need to operate on the front or back of the cervical spine to correct the alignment. Surgeons will approach the operation differently, depending on the location of the deformity and its severity. To normalize the slope of the first thoracic vertebra.To achieve an appropriate fusion of vertebrae to reduce neck pain.To decompress the spinal cord and nerve roots.To restore the curvature of the cervical spine to align with the rest of the spine.One possible treatment option for military neck is surgery. Before a doctor sets a treatment plan, they must understand the cause of the spinal deformity and determine its severity.