Analyzing Different Disc Replacement Surgery


Our backbone is the combination of several vertebrae (individual bone in the flexible column) placed one over the other and connected by small joints to form an elongated structure which we call as the spine. The vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs. A disc is a cushioning structure between the individual bones of the spine, (called vertebra). The discs may be thought of as spinal shock absorbers, for they absorb the load of the body and also helps in the movement. The spine is divided into 5 sub-sections with a total of 33 discs - Cervical (the neck region with 7 discs), Thoracic (the middle back region with 12 discs), Lumbar (the lower back region with 5 discs), Sacral (bottom of the spine with 5 discs) and Coccygeal (Fused together in one to form the tail bone-4 discs).

There are many types of spine problems that may lead to severe backache with radiating pain. Degenerative disc disease is one type of ailment leading to such back pain and is prompted by wearing away of the cushion (disc) that rests between the vertebrae of our spine. This is a condition in which the spinal discs start to dehydrate and shrink. It causes loss of disc height and less room between the vertebrae. This condition is usually found in the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) regions of the spine. It is also called spinal degeneration.

Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery considered the best treatment for degenerative disc disease once the conservative treatment measures have failed. The first treatment for degenerative disc disease is always with non-surgical options. These include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and epidural steroid injections. However, if patients try these treatments, and do not find satisfactory relief, then Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery may be an option. Artificial disc replacement as the name suggests is an operative procedure where a diseased or more precisely a degenerative intervertebral disc is replaced by an artificial one (an implant or prosthesis). Artificial discs are made of metal and plastic-like (biopolymer) materials or a combination of the two.

Minimally Invasive Procedure

Disc replacement surgery is done under general anesthesia. The procedure, however, takes between one and two hours, followed by a three to a four-day hospital stay. The artificial disc is designed as two metal endplates, between which medical-grade polyethylene or plastic or gel-like substances may be found. The most common procedures for artificial disc replacement surgery is a minimally invasive procedure utilizing a small incision (3 to 8 cm) beneath the belly button. Internal organs and blood vessels are gently moved out of the way to provide a view of the spinal column from the front (anterior view). Through the small incision, the neurosurgeon inserts a special grasping instrument that removes the damaged vertebral disc, which leaves and opens space between the vertebra. A plate, often with small metal teeth attached, is fastened to the upper and lower portion of the vertebral space. Bone can eventually absorb and grow around these metal plates, offering stability, longevity, and strength. A disc prosthesis or implant, usually made of a gelatinous or plastic substance, is inserted into the vertebral space in place of a damaged disc.

Advantages

Unlike a fusion procedure, the disc surgery does not have the potential complications associated with taking a bone graft from the hip nor the theoretical risk of infection transmission from using a cadaveric bone graft. The major issue of bone graft healing is eliminated. The disc replacement reduces the chances for adjacent segment disease (versus a fusion) since the artificial disc should allow for more normal spine motion and absorb some of the daily stresses.

Reference

The person suffering from disc slip can make it easy to visit Dr. Mandeep Singh, a well-known orthoepic surgeon in Delhi

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