Artificial discs are a relatively new treatment for degenerative disc disease in the spine. This common spinal condition involves the breakdown of the discs between spinal bones or vertebrae, leading to pain and poor function.
In the past, traditional treatment options always included spinal fusion surgery. However, artificial disc replacement or ADR now offers a less invasive surgical solution with better results. Here’s more on this important topic.
What Are Artificial Discs?
Natural intervertebral discs are the cushions built into your spinal column. They make spinal movement easier and the spine itself more flexible and comfortable.
Spinal discs help with complex movements such as bending, straightening, and twisting. Plus, they reduce the stresses of heavy lifting and other strains on the spinal column and spinal nerves.
However, over time, intervertebral discs can deteriorate and lose their built-in moisture. As they age, they decrease in size and flexibility. They also may herniate or rupture, causing pain and nerve damage.
These changes in spinal structure cause many life-limiting symptoms, including pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the back and lower extremities. This is where artificial disc replacement surgery comes in.
Artificial discs are artificial implants that imitate the function and shape of natural spinal discs. They are composed of metal or high-tech plastics called biopolymers and are custom-fit to each patient’s spinal structure.
Artificial discs have two parts which move against each other. This articulation creates better and more natural movement in the spinal column.
Artificial spinal discs help people maintain a more normal range of motion on their backs. Discs usually are installed in the neck or lower back. New spinal discs also can strengthen and stabilize the spinal column, reducing further damage, poor movement and strength, pain, and other symptoms.
What Are the Advantages of Artificial Discs?
To the patient’s advantage, artificial discs provide a more natural therapeutic solution compared to spinal fusion surgery. Fusion surgery involves permanently joining two or more vertebrae together.
This procedure has several benefits. However, it also eliminates natural movement in the operated area of the spine.
The condition of the spine remains stable with artificial discs. Patients have less pain and discomfort than those people who have undergone spinal fusion surgery.
Another advantage of artificial discs is their durability. Traditional spinal fusion surgery often leads to disease in nearby sections of the spinal column. This is not the case with ADR patients.
The bony vertebrae above and below the fused area experience increased stress and degeneration over time. With artificial discs, this risk is lessened. There is no need for spinal fusion surgery, and patients keep the natural movement of their spinal columns.
Another benefit of artificial disc replacement is that synthetic discs do not cause complications compared to fusion surgery. There are few to no complications with ADR procedures. They do not require the use of bone grafts. Bone grafts sometimes fail or cause other health problems.
Also, artificial disc replacement is minimally invasive. That means smaller incisions, less suturing, and quicker healing and rehabilitation. Patients return to normal activities of daily living more quickly than they may have thought possible.
Is Artificial Disc Replacement Your Best Treatment Option?
Artificial discs may not be right for everyone. Patients with unstable, deteriorating spines may still require traditional fusion surgery.
However, if injection therapy, pain medications, physical therapy, and other treatments have not helped your symptoms, you and your spine doctor can consider artificial disc replacement.
You will undergo an in-office assessment, including nerve conduction testing and an EMG (electromyography). Your spine doctor also will do a physical exam and discuss your symptoms and medical history.
The spine treatment plans are finely tuned to the individual needs of the patient. Treatment varies and depends on the patient’s age, activity level, potential for improvement, and more.
Artificial Disc Replacement in Colorado
At Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery, our highly qualified spine physicians help patients move better and have stronger backs. They also offer state-of-the-art pain management solutions, such as artificial disc replacement, which really work.
To learn more about artificial disc replacement, contact us at (303) 790-1800 for a complete, in-office evaluation. You will learn your treatment options from one of the experts!
Alternatively, you can request your visit using our secure patient form. We have five Colorado locations to serve you. We look forward to serving you!
