Lowers the Risk of Future Surgery
Cervical Disc Replacement
Lowers the Risk of Future Surgery
By M . Viktor Silver , MD , FRCSC , FACS , FAANS
Your cervical spine is made up of the seven bones , called cervical vertebrae , stacked on top of each other in your neck area . The cervical disks are the cushions that lie between the cervical vertebrae and act as shock absorbers to allow your neck to move freely .
Procedure overview
Cervical disk replacement surgery involves removing a diseased cervical disk and replacing it with an artificial disk . It is done when the space between your vertebrae has become too narrow and part of your vertebrae or your cervical disk is pressing on your spinal cord or spinal nerves , causing you pain , numbness , or weakness . When these symptoms do not respond to nonsurgical types of treatment , disk surgery may be recommended .
Using an artificial disk to replace your natural cervical disk is a new type of treatment that has recently been approved by the FDA . In traditional cervical disk surgery , the diseased disk is removed and the cervical vertebrae above and below the disk may be fused together . Disk replacement surgery may have the advantage of allowing more movement and creating less stress on your remaining vertebrae than traditional cervical disk surgery , and decreasing the need for future surgery .
Reasons for the procedure
By allowing normal movement at the disc , there is less wear and tear of the joints above and below . Disc replacement is a minimally invasive technique that reduces the need for additional surgery and it is best recommended for younger patients .
Your symptoms may include :
• Neck pain
• Neck stiffness
• Headache
• Pain , weakness and tingling or “ Pins and needles ” or numbness that travels down into your shoulders or into your arms .
• The damaged disc may be irritating the Spinal cord ( myelopathy ) or nerve roots ( radiculopathy ). This can cause a loss of feeling , loss of movement , pain , weakness , or tingling down the arm and possibly into the hands .
Disc replacement surgery is often done with one night stay and with over 90 % arm pain improvement .
During the procedure
Just before the procedure starts you will have an intravenous line ( IV ) started so you can receive fluids and medications to make you relaxed and sleepy . This procedure is usually done under general anesthesia ( you are asleep ). A one- to two-inch incision ( surgical cut ) is made on the side or front of your neck . The important structures of the neck are carefully moved to the side until the surgeon can see the bones of the vertebrae and the cervical disk . Then , the cervical disk that is being replaced is removed followed by the artificial disk being placed into the empty disk space . The incision is closed using absorbable sutures ( stitches ) under the skin . The skin is then carefully closed with sutures that minimize any scarring .
After the procedure
Once you can drink normally , you will be able to start eating your normal diet . You ’ ll continue to take pain medication if you need it and you may be given a support collar to wear in the hospital . You ’ ll be encouraged to get out of bed and move around as soon as you can and may start physical therapy after a few weeks . You should be able to return to full activities by four to six weeks .
Dr . Silver is a double-board certified Neurosurgeon by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada . He graduated from one the largest neurosurgical training centers in North America only to further specialize in the treatment of Spine Disorders . Learn about Dr . Silver ’ s state-of-the-art office by visiting www . silverneurosurgery . com .
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017
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