Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement
Damaged discs in the cervical spine may cause neck pain, which could radiate across the shoulders and down to the area between the shoulder blades. Headaches are often experienced, too.
Alternative Treatment Options
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
Fusion in this context means joining together with bone. Cervical spinal fusion joins together the vertebrae either side of a disc which is to be removed because it is either causing pain itself or compressing a nerve root. This can be achieved in various ways but usually, after removing the affected disc, a cage with bone graft (or bone graft substitute) is inserted into the space between the vertebrae. A plate fixed with small screws may be used to stabilize the vertebrae while they fuse together, a biological process which takes two to three months.
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a tried and tested technique and one which has evolved and improved, particularly over the past few years, to give more reliable results associated with less risk. However, there are certain drawbacks when compared with total disc replacement. For example, the recovery and recuperation after spinal fusion is certainly slower. Furthermore, the rigid immobilization of one part of the spine will transfer movement and stress to other levels which may then become troublesome in future years, a problem known as 'accelerated adjacent level disease'. Bone graft may be taken from the pelvis (although this is becoming less common) and this can cause ongoing discomfort. There are also some risks associated with the use of screws and plates as these can break or loosen at a later stage, particularly if a fusion does not develop which happens in a small proportion of cases. All of these problems can require further surgery. On the other hand, disc replacement also has its own set of risks and uncertainties.
Spinal fusion will often be the more appropriate option in those cases where total disc replacement may be inadvisable (see above).
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In memory of Nick Boeree
Following the sudden death of Nick Boeree we have set up a tribute page to allow you to share your memories, thoughts, and feelings. Click here.
My experience at The Spine Clinic could not have been better. Nick and the entire staff were extremely competent and professional and everything was done to make me as comfortable as possible for the surgery. Most importantly, it was a great success.
Tyler Dylan-Hyde
