The discs in your spine are supportive structures that act as shock absorbers, but conditions like herniated discs or degenerative disc disease can leave you with chronic neck or back pain.
If you’re struggling with chronic pain related to disc diseases like these, Dr. John Regan and the team at Spine Group Beverly Hills in Santa Monica, California, may recommend disc replacement surgery.
The concept behind total disc replacement is straightforward: Dr. Regan surgically removes your damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial one.
Disc replacement surgery can dramatically restore your quality of life, but knowing when to consider surgery — and when to try conservative options — can help you choose the right solution for you.
Below are five signs that you might be ready for disc replacement surgery.
If you experience persistent back or neck pain that doesn't improve with conservative treatments like physical therapy, medication, or injections, it might be time to consider disc replacement surgery. This procedure can address the root cause of your pain (e.g. a herniated disc) and provide lasting relief.
You have an intervertebral disc between each of your vertebrates. They allow for flexible spinal movement and absorb the shock of running and walking. When you have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, your discs have worn down and can no longer cushion your vertebrae properly.
Disc replacement surgery can help restore proper spinal function by removing damaged discs and giving you a replacement disc that can continue to act as a shock absorber.
Severe disc problems can limit your mobility, which makes everyday activities challenging — if not impossible. If your range of motion is significantly restricted and other treatments haven't helped, disc replacement surgery can help restore your mobility and make everyday tasks, like getting dressed, easier.
Symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs can indicate nerve compression due to a damaged disc. This is often the case when the inner portion of your disc protrudes through the outer shell of your disc and presses on your nerves.
In severe cases of nerve compression, you could lose bladder control. This happens when your cauda equina nerve is damaged. It happens in 3% of disc-related injuries and is considered a medical emergency. In this case, a lumbar laminectomy is usually performed to quickly remove whatever is compressing your nerve.
As with any surgery — whether it’s related to your spine or not — it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of surgery. When the pros start to outweigh the cons, it’s time to consider surgery.
This includes scheduling some downtime so you can recover at home, caring for an incision site, and preparing your body for anesthesia.
Dr. Regan and our team review all preoperative steps that you need to take in order to get cleared for surgery.
In a total disc replacement, Dr. Regan uses minimally invasive techniques to remove your damaged spinal disc and replace it with an artificial one.
An artificial disc is typically made of metal and plastic components. The metal parts are usually composed of materials like titanium or cobalt-chromium, while the plastic component is often made of medical-grade polyethylene.
This approach maintains spinal motion and effectively relieves pain.
Benefits of minimally invasive disc replacement
Minimally invasive surgery can help alleviate the pain of a damaged disc, but it also provides other benefits such as reduced pain and bleeding post-op, smaller incisions, and less risk of surgical complications.
To learn more about the benefits of minimally invasive disc replacement or to schedule a consultation (or even to get a second opinion!), give us a call at 424-238-3281. You can also click here to request your next appointment.
