Neck pain, even if it’s mild, can interfere with your daily life and activities. And if it’s severe, it can keep you from being able to earn a living or enjoying life to the fullest. Fortunately, there are options available. The best treatment may be surgery like an arthroplasty disc replacement.
Artificial Disc Replacement Cervical Spine
Your cervical spine consists of seven bony vertebrae, forming the neck, with discs in between acting as shock absorbers. In addition to providing cushioning, these discs also help protect your spinal cord. The spinal cord is a long, thin bundle of nerves extending from the brain down through your backbone. It is a critical communication pathway that controls sensation and movement in your body.
When the space between your vertebrae narrows, pressure on your spinal cord or nerves can cause pain, numbness, or weakness.
Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery – Neck
Cervical disc replacement is a surgical procedure that involves removing and replacing a damaged neck disc with an artificial one. The device mimics the movement of a natural disc, featuring metal plates and a flexible ceramic or polymer core that allows for smooth gliding and bending.
Compared to traditional surgery, which involves permanently fusing or joining the bones around the worn disc, disc replacement allows you to maintain more movement. It also puts less stress on the remaining vertebrae.
Why You Might Need Cervical Total Disc Replacement Surgery
As you age, your cervical discs can degenerate or break down. While not everyone notices these changes, the collapsing and bulging of discs can lead to symptoms, including:
- Neck pain
- Weakness in your shoulders, arms, and hands
- Stiffness
- Headaches
- Pain radiating to your shoulders or arms
- Numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation in your arms
If these symptoms don’t improve with nonsurgical treatments, your doctor might recommend surgery.
The surgery, also known as arthroplasty, is a joint replacement procedure in which an artificial disc is positioned and secured between the vertebrae. It replaces the natural spinal disc that has been removed, helping to restore function and relieve pain.
Arthroplasty disc replacement may be effective for treating:
- Herniated disc. When the soft center of a disc pushes through a weakened part of the outer wall, causing pain and swelling by pressing on a nerve.
- Degenerative disc. As discs age, they dry out, leading to thinner discs, resulting in vertebrae rubbing against each other and pinching nerves.
Disc Replacement Surgery – What Can I Expect?
You will be under general anesthesia, meaning you’ll be asleep during the procedure.
The surgeon begins by making a small incision on the front or side of your neck, usually about 1 to 2 inches long. This provides access to the affected area. The surgeon moves the soft tissues, blood vessels, trachea, and esophagus aside. This step is done with great precision to reach your cervical spine. The damaged disc is removed along with any bone spurs or disc fragments that may be pressing on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
To ensure the proper placement and stability of the artificial disc, the surgeon prepares the bone above and below the disc space. Using specialized instruments, the surgeon carefully inserts and anchors the artificial disc into the prepared disc space, ensuring it stays in place. The incision is then closed.
In the recovery area, you’ll be monitored until you wake up from anesthesia. Some pain is normal, and you’ll receive medication to manage it. You may be able to go home the same day, though some people will need to stay in the hospital for a day or two.
You may also be given a support collar to wear.
At home, your recovery will involve continuing to wear a neck support collar as recommended and gradually resuming normal activities. Physical therapy usually begins a few weeks after surgery, and a full recovery and a return to regular activities typically occurs within 4 to 6 weeks.
Risks of Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery
While this surgery is generally safe, there are risks, including:
- Reactions to anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Nerve injury
- Spinal fluid leak
- Voice changes
- Stroke
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Failure to relieve symptoms
Learn More About Arthroscopy Disc Replacement
If you’ve been struggling with chronic neck pain and are ready to learn more about arthroscopy disc replacement, it’s time to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists. They’ll provide personalized information, discuss your situation, and help you understand the procedure’s benefits and what to expect.
Don’t continue to live with neck pain that won’t go away – schedule an appointment today!
