Dr. Vingan interviewd: Cervical disc arthroplasty (Artificial Cervical Disc)

The artificial cervical disc represents the latest advance in the treatment of cervical disc disease and cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve in the neck). It is intended to replace the procedure of anterior cervical fusion , following discectomy, that is performed first to decompress the cervical spinal nerves, or spinal cord. The purpose of the instrumentation is to maintain nearly normal range of motion, which should reduce the recovery time post operatively ( since there is no "waiting" for fusion to occur), which should also expedite a return to normal activities, including work. Whereas often after surgical fusion, the patient may require months of time before being reassured of full healing, the disc replacement may abbreviate this recovery to several weeks. In addition, the known risk of fusion is that approximately 25% of patients who undergo a an anterior cervical fusion, within 10 years will become symptomatic from deterioration of the neighboring disc in their neck. By maintaining a normal range of motion with the artificial cervical disc, it is expected that over time, studies will demonstrate the reduction in adjacent level breakdown.