Cervical artificial disc replacement Cervical artificial disc replacement is a surgical procedure which involves removal of degenerated or herniated cervical disc and replacing it with a device called artificial cervical disc preserving movements of the neck. What is Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement? Cervical disc replacement is known in different terminologies such as arthroplasty, artificial disc replacement or motion-preserving disc surgery. The disc acts as a cushion between two vertebrae and when the disc starts getting degenerated the space between two vertebrae narrows down compressing the nerves and spinal cord. Removal of the damaged disc is called discectomy and replacing it with an implant mimicking properties of a healthy disc is artificial disc replacement (ADR). The implant is made of different biomaterials like titanium ceramic composite, cobalt chrome, and polyethylene. What are the symptoms of cervical disc prolapse? Neck pain Pain radiating down to arm, hand and fingers Numbness in hand and fingers A weakness of hand (Difficulty in gripping objects, change in handwriting) Sometimes imbalance while walking If you experience any of these symptoms, visit nearby Best Spine Surgery Hospital in Bangalore to avail advanced treatments and facilities. How is it diagnosed? Through neurological examination followed by MRI of the cervical spine with dynamic x rays. What are the treatment options? Conservative treatment Pain medication – Analgesic and Muscle relaxants Modification of physical activity Physiotherapy No role of the cervical collar or cervical traction Surgery is indicated in patients with weakness of upper limbs and failed conservative treatment without showing improvement in pain despite rest and pain medication. The patient is placed supine (face up) and surgery is done under general anaesthesia. A horizontal skin crease incision ( 3-5 cms ) is made on one side of the neck. The damaged disc is removed and decompression of nerves is performed with the help of a microscope. The disc space is prepared and the appropriate size of the implant is verified on intraoperative fluoroscopy. Under X-ray guidance, the implant device is placed into disc space and the wound is closed. Is ADR different from anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF)? Both cervical ADR and ACDF aim to remove a diseased disc and restore disc height, ACDF promotes fusion with adjacent vertebrae so motion at that joint is lost. The difference lies in the lasting effect on your range of motion – side to side bending, front-back bending and left to right rotation which is preserved in ADR. What are the advantages of ADR? Maintains natural biomechanics of the cervical spine Less stress on adjacent discs and minimizes adjacent segment disease Possibility of non-union or pseudarthrosis is eliminated No need for cervical collar immobilisation Can I undergo MRI after my disc replacement surgery? Yes, your disc is MRI compatible and it can receive any time after surgery. Get treated from the Best Spine Surgeons in Bangalore at Aster RV hospital in JP Nagar.
