Cervical artificial disc replacement or cervical total disc arthroplasty is an innovative surgical procedure that removes a damaged degenerative disc and replaces it with an artificial disc. The artificial disc was designed to preserve motion in your neck. The cervical disc replacement treats neck conditions such as cervical radiculopathy and a cervical herniated disc. This procedure relieves a compressed spinal nerve (radiculopathy), causing pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the neck, arms, and hands.
Cervical disc arthroplasty avoids spinal fusion surgery in the neck. The fusion alternative surgery preserves neck mobility and minimizes future degeneration at adjacent spinal levels and possible future need of surgery. The surgery is like an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). However, instead of fusing the spine, an artificial disc preserves neck movement.
A recent study looked at the outcomes for a single-level cervical total disc replacement performed in an inpatient hospital or outpatient surgical center. The study found no significant differences between the two groups for 30-day complications, readmission, and reoperation rates. Outpatient surgery, unlike inpatient, does not need an overnight stay in the hospital. In addition, ADR patients in the outpatient center have higher satisfaction scores and reduced hospital-related costs.
One or more sources can cause pain in your spine. It could be a pulled muscle or possibly arthritis. The disc between the vertebrae in your neck can also become damaged and painful. Knowing which one is causing the pain will help diagnose and select the most effective treatment option.
The most common causes of neck pain for artificial disc replacement surgery are:
Commonly called a “pinched nerve,” happens when an exiting nerve branching off the spinal cord becomes compressed or irritated. It can be caused by bone spurs, foraminal stenosis, or herniated disc. Symptoms of a pinched nerve are usually felt radiating into the shoulders and arm and numbness and muscle weakness.
Where a disc has developed a weakness and tears allowing a portion of the inner disc to protrude or push out into the spinal canal
A condition in which the spinal canal has narrowed and become too small for the spinal cord and nerve roots. Cervical stenosis can be caused by arthritis bone growth, thickening of the ligamentum flavum above the spinal cord, or ligaments below the spinal canal turning into bone.
A neck condition where the spinal cord is squeezed or compressed by a herniated disc or boney lamina overgrowth.
A spine fusion is not always the best solution for patients with neck pain. A cervical artificial disc can be an excellent alternative to spine fusion surgery. At DISC, our expert spine surgeons have been involved with artificial disc replacement or total disc arthroplasty research and clinical studies for over ten years. Our world-renowned orthopedic spine specialists in Phoenix, AZ, work with patients to treat complex spine conditions, including those who have failed previous surgical treatment.
Get a second opinion if your pain is chronic, affecting your quality of life, and you were told you need a cervical spine fusion. Our surgeons routinely offer patients a second opinion to evaluate and provide the least invasive yet most effective treatment options. DISC offers a complete range of nonsurgical, ultra-minimally invasive, motion-preserving, and minimally invasive solutions for patients suffering from painful neck and back conditions.
