Who Are the Right Candidates for A Disc Replacement Surgery?
The right candidates for a disc replacement surgery are those who qualify the following parameters:
- No previous history of disc surgery
- Is in good health
- Is not suffering from osteoporosis
- No history of spinal infection or arthritis
- Has had at least one month of non-surgical treatment to improve the condition, but is still symptomatic
- Nerves in the spinal canal are compressed as seen on the MRI scan
- Do not have any type of spine deformity
What Are the Advantages of Disc Replacement Surgery?
- Increased motion
- Return to daily functions
- Relief from pain
- Improved lifestyle
The Recovery Time After Surgery
Patients who have undergone a disc replacement surgery usually require staying in the hospital for a maximum of one or two days. Any extra pain or unexpected difficulty may require an extra day or two in the hospital. With the support of a collar, the patients are able to walk the following day. During the recovery process, doctors also advise a few gentle exercises. To ensure the disc is in place, the doctor calls the patient for a follow up within a month of the surgery and performs an X-ray to check the condition.
Things You Need To Know About Disc Replacement Surgery
A variety of complications may occur after a disc replacement surgery. These include breaking and bending of the implant, nerve injury, allergic reaction to the implant material, reaction to anaesthesia, blood clot, tissue swelling and more. Thus follow up with the surgical team is necessary.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS A BRIEF WRITE UP OF A TREATMENT FOR CERVICAL DISC PROLAPSE AND IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISSEMINATING KNOWLEDGE. IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE MEDICAL ADVICE. DISCUSSION WITH THE TREATING SURGICAL TEAM IS A MUST TO GAIN A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE, ITS INDICATIONS AND OUTCOMES.