Are you one of the 75.7 million adults suffering from neck or back pain? Has your doctor determined that your pain is the result of damage to the discs in your spine? When treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy aren’t enough, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Artificial disc replacement, or ADR, is one option to explore, but you probably have a lot of questions. After all, having surgery is a big deal, and you want to be fully informed when making your decision. We’d like to help you with that.
In between each of the bones in your spine are your intervertebral discs, often simply referred to as discs. Made up of a tough outer layer encasing a jelly-like inner layer, your discs function as shock absorbers, protecting the bones and nerves in your spine as you move.
Injury, repetitive stress on your spine, and even just getting older—these are all things that can cause your discs wear down over time. As your discs degenerate, they provide less cushioning between the bones in your neck and back, or they can herniate out of place. The injured disc can cause pain at its location and can also irritate your spinal nerves, leading to symptoms such as pain, weakness, or numbness shooting down your arms or legs.
Artificial disc replacement does just what its name implies. Your surgeon removes your damaged disc and replaces it with a man-made disc. The artificial disc functions just like your natural disc should, allowing for normal movement. The procedure also restores the proper spacing between the bones of your spine and helps take pressure off your spinal nerves.
To further aid your decision-making process, we’ve created an e-book providing all the “need-to-know” details in more depth. You can learn the answers to the following common questions about artificial disc replacement:
Our team at DISC Sports & Spine Center crafted this e-book with you in mind, but If you’d still like to learn more about artificial disc replacement, we would be happy to assist. Schedule an appointment so we can evaluate your case and discuss your options. If ADR is right for you, we’ll walk you through the process and make sure you are comfortable every step of the way.