You have 23 intervertebral discs in your back. That includes six in your neck, 12 in your mid-back, and five in your lower back.
These discs act as cushions between your vertebrae, absorb shock when you move, and support smooth spinal movement.
You might not think too much about them until there’s a problem. If they become damaged, though, they can cause back or neck pain, depending on whether the damaged disc is in your cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine.
You don’t always need surgery to manage a damaged disc, but there’s a time and place for disc replacement surgery.
Disc replacement surgery is a type of surgery in which the entire intervertebral disc is replaced with an artificial one. It’s designed to relieve back pain without sacrificing your spinal mobility, unlike traditional fusion surgery.
Read on as Dr. John Regan and the Spine Group Beverly Hills team highlight four common reasons you may need disc replacement.
Your discs can wear down thanks to aging, injury, and even repetitive strain. This wear-and-tear is called degenerative disc disease, and it impacts over 27% of people.
As the discs wear down, they don’t regenerate, and you may experience chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Disc replacement can restore your disc height, relieve nerve pressure, and improve spine function.
A herniated disc occurs when the inner gel-like material of a disc pushes through its outer layer (called an annulus fibrosus). If this gel presses on nearby nerves, you may experience intense pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs.
Conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, and injections can treat mild disc herniations, but if they fail, it’s time to think about surgery.
Many people try non-surgical interventions first. This includes physical therapy, medications, steroid injections, or lifestyle modifications.
Surgery is usually considered only if these treatments don’t provide lasting relief.
Even if your symptoms point to disc replacement, your physical health matters. Disc replacement is safest and most effective when you’re cleared medically for surgery.
If you don’t have uncontrolled health conditions like severe osteoporosis or advanced heart disease, and Dr. Regan determines you can tolerate anesthesia and recovery, you may be a strong candidate.
If you’ve been struggling with back pain, talk to us! As a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon and published author who has established himself as a pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. Regan knows firsthand the benefits of disc replacement.
Minimally invasive disc replacement can relieve your pain, restore your mobility, and help you get back to your life without the long recovery and hassle of traditional open surgery.
Not everyone with neck or back pain qualifies for disc replacement. A spine specialist like Dr. Regan needs to evaluate you first.
At Spine Group Beverly Hills, Dr. Regan reviews your imaging, symptoms, and overall health to decide if disc replacement or another treatment is the right fit.
To get started, call 424-238-3281 or click here to schedule your consultation at our Beverly Hills office.
