People suffering from some mechanical disorders of cervical spine can benefit from cervical disc replacement surgery, a process that involves insertion of an artificial disc to replace the damaged, herniated, or degenerated cervical disc in order to provide relief from pain. In the replacement surgery, a small  centimeter incision is made in the front of the neck, and the problem disc is removed entirely including any protruding disc fragments or osteophytes. The affected disc can cause pain, numbness and weakness in the neck, shoulders, upper back and arms.

A human body has six discs in the neck  that play important role of a shock absorber between the spinal bones. Replacement Surgery Using specialized and precise surgical instruments, a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon implants an artificial disc in the space between two vertebrae vacated after surgical removal of the painful, diseased or damaged disc. When conventional, non-operative method like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication or cold/hot treatment fails to provide relief from pain, a replacement surgery is often considered as a last resort. However, this replacement surgery is not suitable for everyone.

After successful placement of the implant, the surgeon will secure the device in place with screws, and close the incision. The device acts much like the natural disc to absorb and distribute stress. After Surgery After undergoing cervical disc replacement surgery, you can anticipate to spend one or two days in the hospital. What is Artificial Disc? It is a device usually made of materials including titanium, surgical grade stainless steel, and polyurethane. Besides bearing the weight of the head and providing mobility to the spine, the discs help maintain proper spacing, stability and motion in the cervical region. A human cervical intervertebral disc can deteriorate due to spinal osteoarthritis (spondylosis) or degenerative bone disease. When the damaged cervical disc is surgically removed, the device is inserted into the vacated space to stabilize the cervical spine, as well as restore the lost motion and height between each vertebra spinal bone.

An endplate, which secures the artificial disc between two vertebral bodies, is often fabricated from the metal, while the nucleus is made from metal and/or polyurethane, a material with elastic-like properties of rubber combined with toughness and durability of metal. Patients who have had prior neck surgery, or those with brittle bones from osteoporosis or other bone diseases may not be good candidates for this surgery. You will be advised to avoid driving, exercising, lifting and bending your neck backward for at least four weeks. Next, the surgeon inserts aluminum tape exporters the implant into the prepared space between the vertebral bodies.