Spinal disc herniation is a condition in which one or more of the gel-filled cushions between the vertebrae (called the spinal discs) bulge out through a tear in the outer ring of cartilage. The disc bulge causes pressure on nearby nerves, either putting pressure on them or compressing them causing irritation, numbness, and muscle weakness. By having degenerative disc disease surgery, you can alleviate the pressure and irritation on the nerves. Artificial disc replacement is a way to relieve back pain caused by a worn-out disc or by arthritis. It is an alternative to using just an artificial spacer (also called a fusion).

Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

The signs and symptoms that accompany degenerative disc disease may include pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, instability, and other problems with walking or standing. The symptoms are often gradual in onset. They may act up the day after you first experience an episode of pain, or they may come on so slowly that you don’t realize it’s happening.

Replacing a Disc

To be able to have an artificial disc replacement, you will have a surgery where the vertebrae are removed and then replaced with a metal or plastic disc. This type of surgery is also called a fusion because it fuses (or welds) the vertebrae back together. As time progresses, the vertebrae and the disc-replacement will fuse together. Artificial disc replacement may be better than fusing the vertebrae because it allows for more flexibility in your back.

The artificial disc replacement is usually made out of metal or ceramic but always has a soft outer covering. This covering is made out of polyethylene. The discs can also be made out of metal and plastic, just like artificial spacer devices (also called cages). The disc replacements can be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid.

Going through an Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

The surgery to implant the artificial disc replacement is major surgery. It will probably require you to stay in the hospital for a few days, especially if it’s your first time having spinal fusion surgery. The surgery to insert the replacement disc will either be done from the front or from the back, depending on what you decide during your consultation with your surgeon.

The surgery to insert the replacement disc typically takes between 90 minutes and five hours. During the surgery, your surgeon will make an incision around the damaged disc, and … Read the rest