Cervical Spine Surgery & Disc Replacement

Cervical spine surgery and disc replacement refer to surgical procedures performed on the cervical (neck) region of the spine to treat specific conditions affecting the intervertebral discs. The cervical spine consists of the seven vertebrae (C1 to C7) located in the neck region.
Cervical disc replacement surgery aims to address conditions such as cervical disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, or cervical radiculopathy (nerve compression) by replacing the damaged or diseased disc with an artificial disc implant. This procedure is also known as cervical total disc replacement or cervical arthroplasty.
During cervical disc replacement surgery, the surgeon typically follows these steps:
- Incision: The surgeon makes an incision in the front of the neck to access the cervical spine.
- Removal of the damaged disc: The surgeon removes the damaged or diseased disc, taking care not to disturb the nearby nerves and blood vessels.
- Placement of the artificial disc: The surgeon inserts an artificial disc implant between the adjacent vertebral bodies, restoring disc height and potentially preserving motion in the cervical spine. The artificial disc is designed to mimic the function and structure of a natural disc.
- Closure: The incision is closed using sutures or staples, and a sterile dressing is applied to the surgical site.
Cervical disc replacement surgery offers potential advantages over traditional cervical fusion surgery, which involves fusing the affected vertebrae together. These advantages include:
- Preservation of motion: Disc replacement surgery aims to maintain or restore motion in the cervical spine, potentially reducing stress on adjacent discs and the risk of adjacent segment degeneration.
- Maintenance of neck flexibility: By preserving motion, patients may have improved range of motion and flexibility in the neck compared to fusion.
- Potentially reduced risk of complications: There may be a lower risk of certain complications associated with fusion surgery, such as adjacent segment disease and pseudoarthrosis (failed fusion).
However, it's important to note that not all patients or conditions are suitable for cervical disc replacement surgery. The decision to undergo this procedure is made on an individual basis, taking into account factors such as the patient's specific condition, the extent of disc damage, spinal stability, and the expertise of the surgeon.