• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Front Range Spine
and Neurosurgery
  • Bill PayRequest Appointment
    (303) 790-1800
Denver Hip & Knee Clinic
  • Home
  • Meet the Team
    • Meet the Surgeons
  • Conditions & Surgeries
    • Colorado Artificial Disc Institute
    • Cranial Conditions & Tumors
    • Minimally Invasive Surgery
    • Spine & Nerve-Related Conditions
    • Hip & Knee Conditions
  • Treatments
    • Hip & Knee Treatments
    • View All Treatments
  • Patient Resources
    • New Patient Forms
    • Opiod Consent Form
    • Post-Op Care
    • Preparing for Surgery
  • Contact & Locations
    • Lone Tree
    • Parker
    • Colorado Springs
    • Castle Rock – Trail Boss Drive
    • Castle Rock – Limelight Ave

Recovery Time for Artificial Disc Replacement

November 15, 2019

When a disc deteriorates, it can cause pain that can prevent you from doing your daily activities. Wear and tear and aging are factors that contribute to the damage and degeneration of discs. Damaged discs can lead to numbness, weakness, and tingling sensations in the arms or legs.

Initially, damaged discs are treated with nonsurgical treatments, such as physical therapy, non-inflammatory pain relievers, and rest. However, if this fails to treat your condition, you might be recommended to undergo artificial disc replacement to retain the spine’s mobility and relieve symptoms.

Surgery and Disc Design

Artificial discs are designed to resemble and function like natural spinal discs. Disc replacement devices substitute the nucleus or the center of the intervertebral disc and the annulus or the outer ring in place. Different designs depend on the condition of the disc, but their primary goal is to simulate spinal function and allow movement and flexibility. They are usually made of metal or metal with a combination of plastic.

Artificial disc surgeries typically take 2 to 3 hours to complete. The procedure is designed to relieve spinal pain by removing the damaged disc. Your surgeon will create an incision in the abdomen to move organs and blood vessels and expose the spine without moving the nerves. The damaged disc is removed using surgical instruments, and the new artificial disc is implanted into the disc space. After the organs and blood vessels are put back in place, the surgeon will close the incision, and you will proceed to recovery.

Recovery and What to Expect After the Surgery

The recovery period may be faster than other back surgeries because it doesn’t require your bone to heal. Generally, recovery can take up to 3 months, but can vary from a few weeks to a few months from patient to patient.

The full recovery time after artificial disc replacement can depend on the lifestyle that you follow and your overall health. If you have a physically-demanding job or have other health conditions that slow down the healing process, your doctor might recommend an extended period of rest and recovery. Following the operation, expect to experience stiffness and pain in your back. You will be required to stay in the hospital for a few days so your surgeon can monitor your progress.

After the surgery, your doctor will give you instructions on how and when you can resume regular activity. You may also be prescribed medications to control pain symptoms and reduce the risk of infection. In some cases, it may be necessary to undergo physical therapy to regain mobility and return you to your daily routine. Your surgeon will provide instructions on the activities you should refrain from after surgery. Your surgeon will also inform you of signs of complications that you should watch out for and when to come back for a check-up.

Maintain a healthy body by integrating appropriate exercise with the help of a physical therapist. This will help strengthen abdominal and back muscles that support the spine. You will be encouraged to walk and stretch as you progress with your recovery. Exercises that strengthen the core muscles, such as yoga and tai chi, are also recommended post-surgery. Make sure to move with caution and follow your surgeon’s orders to avoid triggering any complications.

Artificial Disc Replacement in Colorado

Artificial disc replacement offers relief from chronic pain caused by damaged discs. If you are experiencing disc problems and persistent back pain, Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery is here to help you regain your mobility. We specialize in advanced microsurgical treatments for a variety of neurological and spinal conditions.

Our surgeons practice patient-centered care to achieve the best possible outcomes. To consult about your spinal health, call us today at (303) 790-1800 or request an appointment online now.

Filed Under: Artificial Disc Replacement Tagged With: artificial disc replacement, Artificial Discs, artificial spinal disc, artificial spinal disc replacement, back pain, Front Range Spine & Neurosurgery

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Acupuncture
  • Arachnoid Cysts
  • Artificial Disc Replacement
  • Back Pain
  • Back Surgery
  • Brain Surgery
  • Brain Tumor
  • Chronic Pain
  • Concussion
  • Disc Replacement Surgery
  • General
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Lumbar Spine
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Neck Pain
  • Nerve Pain
  • Neurological Conditions
  • Neurosurgeon
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spinal Cord
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Spinal Surgery
  • Spine Surgeon
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery
  • Stroke
  • Tumor
  • Upper Back Pain
  • Workers Compensation
November 2019
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930  
« Oct   Dec »

Tags

artificial disc replacement artificial disc replacement Colorado Springs CO artificial disc replacement Denver CO artificial disc replacement Lone Tree CO artificial disc replacement near me Artificial Discs artificial spinal disc replacement back pain back pain treatment near me Back Surgery Best Spine Surgeon near me Brain Surgeon in Colorado brain surgery Brain Tumor brain tumor symptoms Chronic Pain Concussion Front Range Spine & Neurosurgery Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery Lower Back Pain minimally invasive spinal surgery minimally invasive spinal surgery Colorado Springs CO minimally invasive spinal surgery near me Neurological Disorders neurologist neurosurgeon neurosurgeon colorado neurosurgeon Colorado Springs neurosurgeon Colorado Springs CO Neurosurgeon Denver CO Neurosurgeon experts Near Me neurosurgeon Lone Tree CO neurosurgeon near me neurosurgery neurosurgery Aurora CO spinal discs spinal disorders spinal fusion Spinal Surgery spine surgeon Lone Tree CO spine surgeon near me spine surgery spine surgery Aurora CO Spine Surgery near me traumatic head injury

Footer

Read Our Blog

Get the most up-to-date information about our practice and the latest advances in neurosurgery with our exclusive blog.

Learn More

Patient Education

Broaden your knowledge of the conditions we treat with our comprehensive patient education library.

Learn More

  • Home
  • Meet the Surgeons
  • Conditions & Surgeries
  • Treatments
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact & Locations
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • ADA Disclaimer
  • Sitemap

Phone: (303) 790-1800
Fax: (303) 790-1809

Copyright © 2023 Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery. All Rights Reserved

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

The neurosurgeons at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery specialize in Colorado Artificial Disc Institute, Cranial Conditions & Tumors, Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Spine & Nerve-Related Conditions.