Endoscopic cervical spine surgery in Jordan

A cervical disc herniation occurs when part of a disc between the neck vertebrae displaces and presses on a nerve root or on the spinal cord itself. Characteristic symptoms are neck pain radiating into the shoulder and arm in a defined pattern, with numbness or tingling in specific fingers, and possible weakness of hand or arm strength. As with lumbar disc disease, **most cervical disc herniations improve with non-surgical care** — medication, physiotherapy and activity modification, sometimes with a targeted injection. Surgery is considered when an adequate non-surgical programme fails, when there is clear or progressive neurological weakness, or when there are signs of pressure on the cord itself. Endoscopic surgery means reaching the disc through a very small incision and a working tube under magnified visualisation, removing only the compressing fragment. Its advantage is less injury to surrounding muscle and tissue, so pain afterwards is usually less and recovery faster than traditional open surgery. But clarity is needed: **not every cervical case is a candidate for endoscopy.** The position and size of the herniation, degree of calcification, vertebral stability and cord compression determine whether endoscopy suffices or the case needs disc removal with anterior replacement or fusion. Choosing the “least invasive” technique despite it being unsuitable risks persistent symptoms and a second operation. The neck lies next to sensitive structures, so surgical experience and MRI-based planning are fundamental. Warning features not managed by waiting: progressive arm or hand weakness, disturbed balance and gait, spreading numbness, or bladder problems — these require urgent assessment.