Indications and Advantages of Cervical Artificial Disk Replacement

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It is when an intervertebral disc has been surgically removed to decompress the spinal cord or nerve root that disk replacement may be considered. Here, a device is inserted between two cervical vertebrae in a bid to preserve motion at the disc space.

Cervical disk replacement is usually used as an alternative to bone grafts, plates and screws that are usually used after a disc removal. However these surgical options usually eliminate motion at the operated neck disc space

Sometimes, cervical disc replacement is performed on patients suffering from cervical disc herniations that don't respond to non-surgical treatment options, and whose quality of life and ability to function are hampered.

Indications for cervical disc replacement

Cervical replacement is usually indicated in people suffering from symptomatic cervical disc that causes arm pain or weakness, or numbness and neck pain.

These symptoms usually arise because of herniated discs and osteophytes that compress the adjacent nerves of the spinal cord. All this usually occurs at cervical spine levels C4, C5-6 or C6-7.

For any candidate to be admitted into a clinical trial for cervical disc replacement, he or she should meet certain strictly defined criteria. These include:

1. Trying some non-operative treatment for a minimum of 4-6 weeks. This usually consists of anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapies for relief from cervical pain.

2. They should not have undergone any prior neck surgery.

3. The candidate should lastly, be considered a good surgical candidate for cervical disc replacement.

Advantages of artificial disc replacement

The greatest advantage of undergoing cervical disk replacement is that it reduces the biomechanical stress on adjacent discs. It also entails faster recovery wherein you can quickly return to normal activities.

In fact, most patients return to work within a fortnight, and can resume normal activities (not sport activities) after 2-3 months. In contrast, patients who undergo disc fusion cannot resume their normal activities for at least 6 months or more after their surgery.