Neck pain is a common problem in many people. If the pain radiates to the shoulder, arm, or is accompanied by weakness and numbness, it is often caused by a herniated disc with bone spurs pressing on the spinal nerves or nerve roots…
If treated with traditional methods, physical therapy or medication may not be very effective in patients with severe symptoms. Surgery is therefore the best option to relieve pain and allow patients to return to their normal daily activities quickly.
Disc Replacement Surgery
This involves removing the disc that is the source of pain and replacing it with a metal artificial disc or treating without using metal. The surgeon will remove the protruding or overgrown bone and enlarge the space to reduce pressure on the nerves and nerve roots. The surgery is performed from the front of the neck to easily access the cervical spine.
New Artificial Disc
It has been developed to function like the patient’s natural disc, maintaining movement close to normal. It also acts as a cushion between two vertebrae. This natural disc-like function helps reduce the chance of degeneration of the discs and vertebrae above and below the surgical site.
Spinal Fusion Surgery and Disc Replacement Surgery
This type of surgery can effectively relieve pain. However, the main issue with this surgery is reduced neck mobility. Additionally, there is a possibility that the discs above or below the fused segment may develop problems and may require further treatment or surgery in the future.
The artificial disc can absorb shocks well and maintain neck movement. Replacing the disc with an artificial one can help reduce damage to adjacent vertebrae and lower the risk of complications in other discs.
This surgery requires a shorter recovery time because there is no need to wait for the bones to fuse. Moreover, patients who have undergone cervical artificial disc replacement can later have the artificial disc removed and the adjacent vertebrae fused if necessary.
Recovery After Disc Replacement Surgery
The recovery time after artificial disc replacement surgery is relatively quick. Patients can stand or walk within 1 hour after surgery and can go home on the day of surgery or the next morning. However, patients may experience only mild surgical wound pain, which will gradually subside over time.
