Total Disc Replacement Surgery
At Axis Brian & Back Institute, we understand and can help the pain that you are going through. We specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery which is specially constructed to treat spine conditions with a lower infection risk and shorter recovery times than more traditional open back and open neck surgeries. Our patients will attest that we have helped provide solutions after years of chronic pain that took away their ability to perform even basic functions every day.
About Total Disc Replacement Surgery
After anesthesia is administered, the surgeon creates a small incision in the neck to access the cervical spine. A tool and guide known as a vertebral body retainer is screwed into the vertebrae. This tool will hold the vertebrae apart and provide a guiding channel for other tools. The surgeon carefully removes the problem disc material and prepares the surfaces of the vertebrae for the artificial disc.
A drill or chisel is used to create notches, known as keel cuts, in the vertebrae. The upper and lower sections of the implant are placed together and positioned between the vertebrae. The vertebral body retainer is removed and the spine is returned to normal posture. The implant restores the spine to its proper height and alignment. The spine will be able to move in all directions, which may protect the upper and lower levels of the spine from breaking down.
The incision is closed and bandaged. The patient will return home after an overnight stay in the hospital. The surgeon will determine the length of the hospital stay and will guide the post-operative recovery. Physical therapy may be needed.
Frequent Symptoms Helped by Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Though herniated discs and degenerative disc disease cause symptoms which can change depending on the severity of the condition, there are some general symptoms that often see relief from this procedure.
– Numbness and tingling – Often, patients are experiencing numbness or tingling in the arm and fingers due to the impacted nerve in the neck. This could be similar to what it feels like to lose circulation to the arm.
– Arm pain – The nerve which is affected by the damaged disc often leads to a shooting pain in one arm. This pain can travel all the way from the shoulder down through the fingers. Often, this is accompanied by a pain in the neck along with the radiating pain the arm.
– Weakness – It is possible that the affected nerve is not able to signal the muscles in the arm the way it normally would, causing a general feeling of weakness.
If you are experiencing chronic neck pain and/or any of the symptoms listed above, contact our team at Axis Brain & Back Institute and get BACK@IT. You don’t have to miss out on life’s greatest moments because of pain. Schedule your free MRI review today!