Disc Replacement Surgery

Your spinal discs act as cushions between your spine’s bones or vertebrae. Age, injury and conditions like degenerative disc disease can damage these cushions and cause them to press on nerves in your spinal cord. When these nerves are pinched, you may have pain, numbness or weakness in your neck or lower back.

If you’re in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, your spine expert at Summit Orthopedics may recommend disc replacement surgery to correct your disc problems and help you return to a normal life without pain.

What Is Disc Replacement Surgery?

Disc replacement is a surgery that helps reduce back or neck pain caused by damaged discs in the spine. During this surgery, the damaged disc is replaced with an artificial version that allows for the same movement and function as your natural disc. The goal is to ease back pain while allowing your spine to move naturally, just like a healthy spine would.

There are two main types of disc replacement surgery: When the surgery is performed in your neck, it’s known as cervical disc replacement. If the surgery takes place in your lower back, it’s called lumbar disc replacement.

The surgery is also called artificial disc replacement and total disc replacement.

Benefits

Artificial disc replacement is a minimally invasive procedure. This means your doctor only has to make a small incision. It also offers several other benefits:

Faster recovery: You can go back to work and do your normal activities soon after surgery. Because this surgery is minimally invasive, it does less damage to your body than traditional back surgery.

Improved motion: Unlike spinal fusion surgery, which locks parts of your spine together, disc replacement helps you keep more of your natural movement. For cervical disc replacement, this means you can move your neck more freely, side to side and in other ways, which helps you do everyday things. For lumbar disc replacement, it also helps keep movement in your lower back.

Pain relief: When the damaged disc is replaced, it takes away the pressure on your nerves or spinal cord. This can lead to less pain.

Reduced risk of future spinal issues: Disc replacement helps keep your spine flexible and supports natural movement. It can also help protect the nearby discs from wearing out too quickly, which might lower your chances of needing other spine treatments in the future.

Who Might Need Disc Replacement Surgery?

Your doctor may recommend surgery if you have pain from one or two damaged discs. You should also be in good health without major spinal problems like spinal stenosis. A spine surgeon will assess your specific condition to decide if this treatment is the best option for you.

Not everyone with neck or back pain is a good candidate for disc replacement. Your surgeon will check many things to see if replacement surgery is right for you. Generally, you must have:

A spine that is not unusually curved

A stable spine

Back pain that is caused by only one or two discs in your neck or back

Bones that are not weak, such as from osteoporosis

No major surgery on your neck or lower back before

No other major problems with the small joints in your spine, or bones pressing too much on nerves

What to Expect

Your artificial disc replacement surgery is performed using general anesthesia, which allows you to sleep peacefully and not experience discomfort during the surgery. The procedure should take about two to three hours.

For lumbar disc replacement in your lower back, your surgeon will make a cut in your abdomen (belly). This approach allows them to reach your spine from the front, carefully moving organs and blood vessels aside.

For disc replacement in your neck, your surgeon makes an incision in the front of your neck.

During the procedure, your surgeon removes the damaged disc and then places an artificial disc into the empty space.

Risks of Disc Replacement Surgery

Like any surgery, disc replacement surgery comes with potential risks. These include:

Infection

Nerve damage

Ongoing pain

Problems with the implant

Your doctor will talk with you about the benefits and risks of disc replacement surgery so you can make the best decision for your health.

Recovery

You’ll typically stay in the hospital for one to three days while you recover.

Your recovery will have several stages.

Immediately after surgery: You’ll likely feel some discomfort around the surgery area. Your doctor will encourage gentle movement, but you should avoid heavy lifting, bending and twisting.

A few weeks later: You may begin physical therapy to help with recovery. Many people with desk jobs can return to work. You should avoid physically demanding tasks.

Several weeks after surgery: Most people can exercise and do their normal activities. A full recovery might take up to six months.