Addressing Chronic Neck Pain in the Sandhills
PINEHURST, N.C. -- For many people throughout the Sandhills, chronic neck pain disrupts daily life, making simple tasks like working at a desk, reading, sleeping or driving a car feel next to impossible. Those with multi-level cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD) are especially prone to pain that impacts their daily lives.
Traditional surgery is available to help fix disc-related problems, but it can often lead to long recovery times and lingering uncertainty about the potential for pain to return. A groundbreaking new surgical approach is bringing fresh hope for those dealing with pain, and FirstHealth and Pinehurst Surgical Clinic are working together to ensure it is available for patients in our region.
Circumferential Cervical Fusion Enhanced by PCSS
Circumferential Cervical Fusion (CCF) enhanced with a novel device called the Posterior Cervical Stabilization System (PCSS), made possible by Providence Medical Technology, represents a major step forward in neck surgery.
Pinehurst Surgical Clinic orthopaedic surgeons Alexander Lemons, M.D., and Daniel Williams, M.D., who both perform procedures at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, recently took part in a pivotal clinical trial involving more than 200 patients across 18 sites in the United States to study the effectiveness of the new system.
“Dr. Williams and I were thrilled to take part in the study, and we actually enrolled more patients here in Pinehurst than anywhere else in the nation,” Lemons said. “It highlights the fact that orthopaedic patients in our region have access to the highest level of surgical care close to their home.”
Why the New Approach Improves Outcomes
Lemons said surgeons traditionally treated multi-level cervical DDD through Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), operating from the front of the patient’s neck to remove damaged discs, replace them with implants and stabilize with plates and screws. While effective for many, the success rate drops significantly when treating three levels.
“When we get into more complex cases, the ACDF approach often leads to failed healing, repeat surgeries and ongoing pain,” Lemons said. The CCF + PCSS method used in the study combines the standard ACDF with a posterior procedure, meaning surgeons operate from the patient’s back instead of the front of the neck. This stabilization creates a more secure environment for bone healing.
Proven Results from the FUSE Study
“The results of the FUSE study were pretty remarkable,” Williams said. “The study showed superior fusion success for patients 1 year after surgery and a dramatic difference in revision rates. The results prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to clear the PCSS device for 3-level circumferential cervical fusion in patients with degenerative disc disease.”
Williams said patients who undergo this new procedure can expect a higher chance of solid fusion, less risk of another surgery and restored quality of life.
“Many patients in the study reported improvements in neck pain, function and daily activities,” he said. “Our goal with any new technological advancements in orthopaedic care is to enhance procedural success and make life better for our patients, so this study and its results represent a win-win.”
Training Surgeons and Expanding Access
Since the clearance by the FDA, Lemons and Williams have completed over 1,000 procedures with the new approach. Lemons and Williams are also leading the way in training other surgeons on the PCSS device. Several surgeons are planning to visit Moore Regional Hospital to shadow Lemons and Williams during these procedures. If you or a family member are dealing with chronic pain related to multi-level cervical degenerative disc disease, talk with your provider about the next best steps for care.
Orthopaedic Care at FirstHealth
FirstHealth offers a full range of diagnostic imaging, a specialized inpatient unit for orthopaedic patients, outpatient rehabilitation clinics and we partner with Pinehurst Surgical Clinic to offer specialized orthopaedic care to treat areas such as the foot, hand, shoulder, spine, hip or knee. Learn more at FirstHealth.org/Ortho
