“Neck pain is a common problem for many people. If the pain radiates down to the shoulder or arm, or if there is weakness and numbness, it is often caused by a herniated disc along with bone spurs pressing on the spinal nerves or nerve roots. If traditional treatments such as physical therapy or medication do not work, surgery may be the best option for patients to relieve pain and allow them to return to their normal activities quickly.”
What is cervical disc replacement surgery?
Cervical disc replacement surgery involves removing the problematic disc in the neck area that causes pain and replacing it with an artificial disc. Additionally, the surgeon can remove the bone spurs and enlarge the space around the spinal disc, which helps reduce nerve and nerve root compression. Generally, surgeons perform the surgery through the front of the neck to easily access the cervical spine. This surgical approach is similar to spinal disc surgery and spinal fusion surgery.
The new artificial discs have been developed to function like the patient’s natural discs and allow movement close to normal. They also act as a cushion between two vertebrae. Because they mimic natural discs, these new artificial discs help reduce the chance of degeneration in the discs above and below the surgical site.
Spinal fusion surgery and disc replacement surgery
Spinal fusion surgery has long been recognized as the standard surgical method for patients with cervical nerve compression caused by disc problems. This surgery removes the problematic disc causing pain and then fuses the two adjacent vertebrae together with a metal plate.
This type of surgery effectively relieves pain. However, the main issue is that neck mobility is reduced. There is also a possibility that the discs above or below the fused segment may develop problems and require treatment or surgery in the future. Cervical artificial disc replacement surgery was developed to address these issues. The artificial disc can absorb shocks well and maintain neck mobility. By preserving movement, disc replacement helps reduce damage to adjacent vertebrae and lowers the risk of complications in other discs.
In the future, this type of surgery will have a shorter recovery time because there is no need to wait for the bones to fuse, which can take 3 months to 1 year for complete fusion. Additionally, if a patient undergoes cervical artificial disc replacement, the artificial disc can be removed later and the adjacent vertebrae can be fused if necessary. Conversely, if a patient has had spinal fusion surgery, it is not possible to later perform artificial disc replacement.
Who is suitable for cervical disc replacement surgery?
Most patients with cervical nerve compression do not necessarily require surgery. Surgery is considered when patients have severe neck pain, numbness, or obvious weakness. Patients with cervical nerve compression should first receive conservative treatment such as anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, steroid injections around the spine, and other non-surgical treatments for at least 4-6 weeks. If symptoms do not improve, surgery should be considered.
Recovery after cervical disc replacement surgery
The recovery time after cervical artificial disc replacement surgery is relatively quick. Most patients can stand and walk within 1 hour after surgery and can go home on the day of surgery or the next morning. There may be some activity restrictions for a short period, but most patients can return to normal life within 2-3 weeks. Patients may experience mild pain around the surgical wound, but this will gradually improve over time.
