Spinal Fusion Surgery is the traditional surgical treatment for cervical herniated discs. A number of methods, including bone grafts, metallic plates, and screws, can be used by surgeons to fuse together vertebrae. The drawback of this type of surgery is that it may lead to varying degrees of loss of movement in the treated vertebrae segment.



Artificial Disc Replacement is an alternative treatment for cervical herniated discs that aims at maintaining normal flexibility in the treated area. A medical quality titanium or stainless steel disc is used to replace the diseased or herniated disc after it has been removed from the neck. A neck incision provides a place for the implant. This type of joint replacement therapy is called arthroplasty. The Food and Drug administration approved the new procedure of Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement surgery in July of 2007.

The procedure is a serious one that should only be contemplated if conservative non-surgical methods of treatment have failed to alleviate the condition. Artificial Disc Replacement is recommended for people who don't have allergic reactions to stainless steel or titanium. Keep in mind that there are some risks associated with this treatment. The possible risks or side effects of Artificial Disc Replacement surgery are: *Adverse reactions to stainless steel or titanium materials used *Breakage or damage to the implant *Damage to nerves or spinal cord, resulting in paralysis *Trouble swallowing *Inflammation *Difficulty speaking

Operation time is between one and two hours, and the patients hospital stay, after surgery, is normally less than four days.

Most of the time, artificial disc replacement surgery patients also have to have some sort of physical therapy. The principal concern with Artificial Disc Replacement is that it is not yet known how long they will last, although it seems logical to assume that they should last at leas as long as knee and hip replacements every 10 to 15 years. Regular x-ray follow-ups will be necessary for several years.

Cervical Disc Replacement offers two advantages over Spinal Fusion procedures: one is that a bone graft isn't necessary, and two, there will be no need for the patient to wear a brace after the surgery. While artificial disc replacement patients are able to go back to their jobs sooner than recipients of the Cervical Fusion Surgery, The Cervical Disc Replacement is more expensive than the Spinal Fusion surgery because of the expensive device.

Currently in Europe, all 500 completed artificial disc replacement surgeries have been successful, requiring no removal of implants. No too long ago, hip and knee replacement procedures were a novelty. Maybe Cervical Disc Replacement operations will sometime be as routine as right now.