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• Cervical Disc Replacement

Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery

Cervical disc replacement surgery is a procedure that removes a degenerating intervertebral disc and replaces it with a prosthetic disc so that a weakened spine can be re-stabilized. If you suffer from conditions like a herniated disc, ruptured disc, or bulging disc, you may have already considered disc replacement surgery.

First, let’s explore the need for disc replacement surgery. The cervical region of the spine refers to the neck and the upper back. Although the first two vertebrae of the neck, the atlas and the axis, do not contain intervertebral discs, the subsequent five vertebrae are separated by these cartilaginous pads that act as shock absorbers for the body’s movements. The intervertebral discs also join adjacent vertebrae together. As we age, these discs begin to wear away, resulting in ruptures and protrusions that can infringe on neural activity around the spine. And because the neck is such an integral part of our mobility, neural compression in this region can be highly debilitating, which is why some people consider surgery to achieve disc pain relief.

Although cervical disc replacement surgery may seem like an obvious solution to the problem of deteriorating discs, we have to keep in mind that a prosthetic disc would have to perform all the tasks that a natural disc performs, and then some. Not only would the artificial disc (often made of hydrogel, polyethylene, titanium, or cobalt chromium) need to fasten directly to bone, but it would also need to be flexible enough that it could aid in flexibility and shock absorption.

Since 2004, several types of manmade discs have been approved for use in the United States, but the success of these discs has not yet been proven. The lack of long-term study on artificial disc replacement should be a key consideration in whether or not to undergo this surgery. Furthermore, not every patient is a candidate for disc replacement. For example, older patients might not be able to receive a replacement disc because their spinal bones are too weak to support prosthetic materials.

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Of course, any type of neck disc surgery does come with risks, such as infection, scarring, adverse reactions to general anesthesia, and lengthy recovery periods. You should keep in mind, however, that there are alternatives to traditional, open spine disc surgeries. Laser Spine Institute (LSI) is at the forefront of minimally invasive, endoscopic technology that focuses on neural decompression procedures, rather than total disc replacement. Contact us today for a free review or your MRI or CT scan, and find out how our revolutionary procedures could help you rediscover a life without pain.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.