Cervical disc replacement

An artificial cervical disc is a device that replaces the damaged disc while preserving the motion at the diseased disc level. It is inserted between the two diseased or damaged vertebrae in the neck.

Cervical disk replacement surgery is performed to replace diseased cervical disk with an artificial disk. It is an advantageous procedure when compared to traditional cervical disc surgery that removes the diseased disc and fuses the vertebra above and below. On the other side, disk replacement surgery allows more movement and creates less stress on the remaining vertebrae.

Indications of Artificial cervical disc replacement (ADR)

It is typically performed in patients with symptomatic cervical disc disorder like herniated disc or disk degeneration or formation of osteophytes (bone spurs) compressing adjacent nerves or the spinal cord. In addition to this, the cervical disc patients that has not responded to conservative management and are experiencing following symptoms may also get benefitted from artificial cervical disc replacement:

Significant radiating neck pain and/or arm pain
Exceptionally diminished quality of life and ability to function
Arm, shoulder, hand or leg weakness or numbness
Neck stiffness
Headache
In addition to above symptoms, patient must also meet the following defined criteria:
1. No response after at least 4 to 6 weeks of nonsurgical treatment like anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or epidural injections
2. No prior neck surgery
3. No instability either clinically or on x-ray
4. Good general health
5. Either one or maximum two levels of the neck affected
6. No active infection or allergy
7. No Osteoporosis