Persistent neck pain can affect a person’s comfort, mobility, and quality of life. Fortunately, a permanent solution exists. Cervical disc replacement is a cutting-edge treatment that significantly reduces neck pain without loss of movement. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute provides surgical treatments for various neck and back conditions at locations across New Jersey. Here, we discuss this treatment, its success rate, and why we recommend it for our patients.
Cervial Spine Anatomy
The cervical spine encompasses the upper back and neck. It includes the topmost seven vertebrae, which are labeled C1 to C7 and extend from the base of the skull to the top of the ribcage. These vertebrae are separated by spinal discs, which are made of rubbery tissue with a gel-filled core. They play an important role in reducing friction and absorbing shock.
Though highly resistant to damage, spinal discs are not invulnerable. Health conditions can cause discs to shrink or cause their gel centers to rupture and leak. When this happens, the spine’s function is impacted. Vertebrae rub against one another without protection, and the spinal cord or root nerves may become impinged. This results in a variety of uncomfortable symptoms:
- Neck pain
- Tingling or numbness in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
- Stiffness in the neck and shoulders
- Reduced mobility
- Muscle spasms
- Frequent migraine headaches
- Problems with balance and coordination
What Is Cervical Disc Replacement?
Cervical disc replacement is a minimally invasive spine surgery technique used to address problems with spinal discs. The surgeon carefully removes the problematic disc, replacing it with an artificial alternative that performs the same basic function. This can provide immediate and lasting relief for neck and nerve pain caused by cervical disc conditions.
What Does Cervical Disc Replacement Treat?
A few different conditions may arise from spinal disc problems and can be treated with cervical disc replacement. The major ones include:
- Cervical disc herniation: When a cervical disc is damaged, its soft middle pushes outward in a bulge that can press against nerves and nearby tissue.
- Cervical slipped disc: This refers to a disc that has moved from its normal location. A slipped disc can no longer perform its function and may compress the spinal cord.
- Cervical degenerative disc disease: Lifelong wear and tear may cause a cervical disc to deteriorate and shrink, creating painful friction between vertebrae.
Traditionally, these conditions were treated with a spinal fusion. Though this procedure is still used to deliver positive results, it often leads to prolonged recovery periods and a permanent loss of neck flexibility. Cervical disc replacement provides another way. The newer treatment is less invasive, allowing for a shorter and easier recovery. It also doesn’t reduce mobility. Patients can return to pain-free living with the same range of motion they enjoyed before their neck condition began.
How Does Cervical Disc Replacement Work?
Before a patient goes through a cervical disc replacement, they will undergo extensive testing and evaluation. This is to confirm a diagnosis and ensure surgery is the best solution. If the patient and doctor agree on this treatment approach, the next step is to plan the procedure.
Cervical disc replacement is typically performed under general anesthesia. This means patients are asleep while the surgeon operates. The procedure follows these steps:
- The surgeon makes a one- to two-inch incision on the side of the patient’s neck.
- With visibility provided by a tiny camera called an endoscope, the surgeon guides precise tools through the incision to the site of the diseased disc.
- The surgeon carefully cuts away and removes the diseased disc.
- The surgeon inserts a custom-made artificial disc into the gap left by the removed disc.
- The surgeon closes the incision with surgical techniques to minimize scarring.
The whole procedure lasts a few hours. Afterward, patients may need to spend a day or two in the hospital so their condition can be monitored. The patient can go home as soon as physicians are confident that they are safe from complications. Recovery typically takes four to six weeks. At this point, most people can return to normal activities.
Is Cervical Disc Replacement Always Successful?
Every surgical procedure comes with a risk of side effects or failure. Cervical disc replacement, however, has a very high rate of success. In clinical studies, 90% of patients experience a significant decrease in pain after their procedure. Very few need further surgery.
To get the best outcome from cervical disc replacement, it’s important to find a reliable surgeon. Surgeries at NU-Spine are performed by Dr. Branko Skovrlj. He is among the few New Jersey neurosurgeons to focus exclusively on the spine. He has extensive experience with minimally invasive and complex spine procedures. Patients can trust his expertise to perform disc replacements correctly with few side effects, offering the best chance at a full, complication-free recovery. After surgery, be sure to follow his guidance and instructions for proper healing.
Learn More About Spine Surgery at NU-Spine
Advanced procedures like cervical disc replacement are proven to be safe and reliable solutions to neck pain. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute specializes in providing the latest spine treatments to patients throughout New Jersey. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you.