You have 23 intervertebral discs in your spine, but you might not think about them much until they’re hurting. Conditions like arthritis, herniated discs, and degenerative disc disease can leave you with debilitating neck or back pain.
While conservative options like medication and physical therapy can do wonders for pain management, sometimes the condition is severe enough to warrant an artificial disc replacement.
If Dr. John Regan has recommended that you undergo disc replacement surgery and you’re wondering what’s all involved in that process, we’ve got you covered.
Read on as the Spine Group Beverly Hills team explains what disc replacement surgery is, how it works, and the benefits of choosing this treatment plan.
Disc replacement surgery involves removing a damaged or degenerated spinal disc and replacing it with an artificial one. The goal is to restore proper disc height, relieve pressure on your nerves, and maintain as much natural movement in your spine as possible.
It can be performed on your cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back) spine using advanced, minimally invasive techniques to reduce tissue damage.
Your artificial disc replacement surgery consists of several steps, but before you ever step into the surgical room, you meet with Dr. Regan for an evaluation.
Before surgery, Dr. Regan conducts imaging tests (X-rays, MRI, or CT scans) to assess the condition of your spine and determine if you’re a good candidate for disc replacement.
Dr. Regan uses a minimally invasive technique to make a small incision. This approach avoids cutting through major muscles. Minimally invasive techniques like these typically lead to less pain and a quicker recovery.
Dr. Regan carefully removes the damaged disc, and the space between the vertebrae is cleared of any debris.
Dr. Regan inserts a prosthetic disc, designed to mimic the function of a natural disc, into the empty space. These artificial discs are made of biocompatible materials like metal and medical-grade plastic, so they still move similarly to a healthy disc.
Once your new disc is in place, Dr. Regan closes the incision site. After your surgery, you spend time in a recovery room as you come out of anesthesia.
Your surgery is just the first part of your disc replacement. Your recovery and rehabilitation are equally important.
During your first few weeks, move carefully and avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities. Minimally invasive techniques often result in less post-operative pain and a faster return to daily activities, but don’t push yourself.
Follow your physical therapy plan as instructed. The goal of physical therapy is to improve your range of motion, improve your spinal function, and strengthen the muscles around your spine.
While the thought of any surgery — minimally invasive or not — can be daunting, it’s important to focus on all of the benefits of surgery. In this case, minimally invasive disc replacement can:
Most importantly, disc replacement can improve your quality of life and help you find relief from chronic pain.
Not everyone is a candidate for disc replacement. Factors like overall spine health, the location of the damaged disc, and the presence of other spinal conditions will determine eligibility. If you're considering this procedure, Dr. Regan can assess your specific condition and recommend the best treatment approach.
If you have a damaged disc, whether it’s from a bulging disc, arthritis, or degenerative disc disease, book your appointment online or call Dr. Regan at 424-238-3281 to find out if disc replacement surgery is right for you.
