Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement

Understanding How Artificial Disc Replacement Can Help

A cervical artificial disc is designed to mimic the functions of your natural disc, preserving motion at that level of your spine. This is significant because spinal fusion, another procedure to treat degenerative disc disease, does just the opposite. Spinal fusion places an implant between two adjacent vertebrae, causing them to grow together into one solid bone and eliminating movement between them.

Comparing Cervical ADR to Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion has long been a standard surgical technique used for treating disc disease in the neck. For patients who have arthritis in the facet joints of the spine, instability related to spondylolisthesis, and certain other spinal conditions, it remains the recommended course of treatment. In this procedure, the damaged disc is removed.

Bone is grafted in its place between the adjacent vertebrae. Over time, the bone graft encourages the two vertebrae to grow together, “welding” them together into one solid bone. This prevents normal movement in that area of the spine, and many people experience an improvement in pain and other unpleasant symptoms immediately after a fusion.

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Patient Education

ADRs: The Future of Spine Care

Artificial disc replacement (ADR), also referred to as TDR (total disc replacement) is used to correct pain, tingling, and loss of mobility resulting from a degenerative or herniated disc.

Patient Education

Are You a Good Candidate for Cervical ADR Surgery?

Thousands of people every year suffer from debilitating neck pain and immobility. If you are one of these people, you may have discussed Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) surgery with your doctor.

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3 Indications that You Need Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

If you’ve had ongoing back or neck pain, your surgeon might consider a procedure known as artificial disc replacement. Here are three indications that artificial disc replacement could be the solution for you.

Determining If You’re a Candidate for Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement

Proper patient AND proper procedure selection are extremely important considerations for any reputable spine surgeon. Not every patient is suitable for surgery, and not every case of degenerated or herniated disc(s) should be treated with ADR.

Proper patient AND proper procedure selection are extremely important considerations for any reputable spine surgeon. Not every patient is suitable for surgery, and not every case of degenerated or herniated disc(s) should be treated with ADR.

Download Our Free Guide on ADRs

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, approximately 75.7 million adults are currently suffering from neck and back pain. There is a solution.

If you’ve already tried conservative treatments, such as rest and anti-inflammatories, without success, and if you believe your pain is originating from the discs in your neck or back, artificial disc replacement surgery might be the answer.

Take a look at our comprehensive guide, Contemplating Artificial Disc Replacement? Here's Everything You Need to Know. In it, you’ll find topics such as:

How artificial disc replacement works

How to determine if you are a good candidate

How the procedure is performed

How to help the recovery process

How to choose the best surgeon

Recovery from Artificial Disc Replacement

After surgery, ice and pain relievers can be used to minimize swelling and discomfort. You can expect to be up and walking within a few hours. In most cases, you’ll stay overnight for observation and will go home the following morning.

If your surgeon uses microscopic and minimally invasive surgical techniques, your incision will be very small and may not need stitches. Most of the time, you won’t even have a visible scar.

Spine Care