Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR)
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 Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR)
Anesthesia is administered, and the surgeon creates an incision on the patient’s abdomen to gain access to the spine. The body of the problem vertebra is carefully removed, along with the adjoining discs.
The VBR implant is packed with bone graft material and inserted into the open space. The surgeon adjusts the height of the implant, restoring the natural height of the spine and seating the implant firmly in place between the adjacent vertebrae. The surgeon then attaches a metal stabilization plate, or a system of plates and screws, to the remaining vertebrae. This locks the vertebrae together and keeps the implant from moving out of position.
The incision is then closed and bandaged. Over a period of several months, new bone will grow in and around the implant to create a fusion. Physical therapy may be needed to help with recovery.
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 [email protected] You don’t have to miss out on life’s greatest moments because of pain. Schedule your free MRI review today!