If you are suffering from chronic pain and limited mobility due to a degenerative or herniated disc and conservative treatment measures aren’t working, it may be time to consider a surgical solution. One alternative is artificial disc replacement (ADR), also known as total disc replacement. However, before moving forward with artificial disc surgery, there are several things you and your doctor should consider: Is Surgery Your Best Option? The decision to undergo artificial disc ... [Read More]
artificial disc replacement
Artificial Disc Replacement or Spinal Fusion
If you have a severely injured or degenerative disc, you know what it's like to have back pain. You may have a great deal of pain when you sit, or you may notice that simple motions like bending and twisting heighten the discomfort. Fortunately, when other treatments aren't successful, your surgeon at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery may recommend artificial disc replacement or spinal fusion. So, how do these surgeries compare? During an artificial disc replacement, your surgeon will remove ... [Read More]
Artificial Discs vs. Spinal Fusion
Back pain is sometimes treatable without surgery, but surgery may be the best option when the pain is chronic and is becoming unbearable. Spine surgery is highly successful in reducing pain and improving the patient’s quality of life. In a healthy spine, the vertebrae are held together by discs composed of cartilage that act as cushions which absorb shock, such as from walking or running. Each set of two adjacent vertebrae are separated by a protective disc. However, worn-out or damaged discs ... [Read More]
Recovery from Receiving Artificial Discs
During recovery from back surgery after receiving one or more artificial discs, the healing phase begins. This procedure requires specific recovery strategies after getting discharged from the hospital. With this in mind, here are some tips on how you can recover after back surgery involving artificial discs. Take Pain Medication Your doctor will most likely prescribe pain medications to manage your postoperative pain. These medications may include over-the-counter pain medicine, narcotic ... [Read More]
Recovery Time for Artificial Disc Replacement
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 ... [Read More]