Patient Education: Disc Replacement — Symptoms and Treatments
Description
Disc degeneration in the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine) is a result of “wear and tear” of the soft tissue cushions between the bones of the spine (vertebrae). Just as orthopaedic surgeons have been replacing arthritic hips and knees, we now have the technology to replace worn-out discs in the neck and lower back. Dr. Rajadhyaksha and the Miami Spine Institute specialize in minimally invasive techniques to perform these types of surgeries, affording for the lowest amount of post-operative down time possible.
When to Seek Disc Replacement (Symptoms):
- Neck or back pain with degenerative discs with various levels of nerve compression
- Younger active patients who may not want to undergo spinal fusion
- Symptomatic patients who want to maintain the range of motion of their spine
Traditional Surgery
Historically, orthopaedic spine surgeons performed spinal surgeries to treat back pain, scoliosis, neck pain and certain disc herniations or degenerated discs involved disc removal and fusion. Disc fusion is the welding together of 2 spinal bones.
Although the disc fusion surgery success rate has been greater than 90%, many surgeons are concerned that the disc fusion in one spinal area may accelerate the development of a disc problem at another level. Hypothetically, and with some promising results, minimally invasive spine surgery and disc replacement surgery may slow down or prevent the development of another spine related problem.
Possible Treatment Options
Surgical Procedure
The disc replacement surgery is performed through the front of the patient's spine.
After careful removal of most of the worn-out disc, an artificial disc replacement prosthesis, usually made of a combination of metal and very hard plastic, is placed between the vertebral bones.
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for disc replacement. Conditions such as osteoporosis and severe arthritis could potentially produce poor results.
For more information on Disc Replacement and treatment options available to you, feel free to contact the Miami Spine Institute.
