Cervical disc replacement is an advanced form of spinal surgery or intervertebral disc replacement. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where degenerated intervertebral disc material in the cervical region is replaced by artificial discs placed in either the upper or lower back. Discs at the level of the lamina on both sides are frequently replaced to restore normal spinal function. The procedure is performed for patients who have problems that can be treated only with intervertebral disc surgery, such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spinal muscular atrophy, or spinal stenosis with loss of height.
Although the technique for treating cervical spinal stenosis or neck pain with intervertebral disc replacement has come a long way over the years, some patients still report undergoing disc-related surgery after neck injury or spinal stenosis. The patient may complain of pain and instability due to the positioning of the new artificial discs. Disc replacement techniques differ depending on the location of the spine lesion, the amount of disc damaged, the age of the patient, and the preferences of the patient and his or her doctor. Some people may not benefit from spinal stenosis disc replacement due to the difficulty of the procedure, the time required for healing, and the associated costs.
Disc herniation and spondylolisthesis are the most common causes of spinal stenosis or neck pain and may require interventional spinal surgery to repair damage to the spine. If conservative treatments do not improve the patient’s condition, interventional spinal surgery may be the best choice for treatment. When comparing what is considered the best form of treatment between conservative and invasive methods, the success rate is quite high for cervical disc replacement surgeries. Patients who have suffered spinal trauma that has resulted in a cervical disc herniation or spondylolisthesis may benefit from this procedure to ensure proper recovery and a healthy lifestyle.
In comparing the benefits of having a cervical spine fusion versus having a Cervical Decompression/Cervical Rest Positioning Therapy (CDS/CERP), there are several notable benefits. Compared to cervical fusion surgery, a cervical disc replacement allows the former patient to keep more neck movement post-op, compared to having cervical fusion surgery. A cervical disc replacement also allows for the former patient to retain most of the full neck range of motion (ROM). A Cervical Decompression/Cervical Rest Positioning Therapy surgery on the other hand eliminates or greatly reduces the ROM post-operative. Also, the Mobi-C can mimic an actual full cervical disc, which greatly eases the rehabilitation process after surgery.
Other benefits of the disc replaced with Mobi-C are: nerve communication between the spine and brain is maintained since nerves are not cut directly. It is minimal or no pain after the procedure and the patient can resume normal daily activities immediately. Although many patients do report a slight discomfort, the vast majority say their pain and swelling subside within a couple of weeks. Since most people have pain somewhere in their body and some nerve endings are located in areas not typically seen as painful, this factor makes this procedure very successful and non-invasive. Furthermore, nerve communication between the brain and spine is maintained, which means there is a reduced risk of developing movement-impairing diseases such as Spondylosis or Neuromuscularitis later on in life.