Patients from 105+ countries have trusted us
Join hundreds of happy patients who choose the right treatment and care.
Get A Quote
For individuals with degenerative disc disease or other spinal disorders affecting the cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back) regions, spinal disc replacement is a surgical technique intended to reduce discomfort and restore function. A damaged or degenerative intervertebral disc is removed during the surgery, and an artificial disc is used in its stead. This artificial disc allows for flexibility and movement in the spine while maintaining stability by imitating the structure and function of the natural disc.
Relieving discomfort from ailments like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or disc degeneration is the main goal of spinal disc replacement. Pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms or legs are signs of nerve compression caused by these disorders. The surgery attempts to reduce these symptoms and enhance the patient's quality of life by replacing the damaged disc.
Patients who have not received relief from conservative treatments, including physical therapy, medicine, or spinal injections, may benefit most from spinal disc replacement. Compared to standard spinal fusion operations, which may restrict movement, the method is intended to preserve the spine's natural motion.
What is Spinal Disc Replacement Surgery?
During spinal disc replacement surgery, an artificial disc with many of the same characteristics takes the place of the damaged, painful natural disc. A patient's mobility and quality of life may be improved with this surgery.
The artificial disc is designed to replicate the natural disc's movements as closely as possible. These discs can be composed of plastic, metal, or a mix of the two. There are several disc designs available, and the physician will select the one that best fits each patient. In order to enable the artificial disc to move similarly to a natural disc, a plastic bearing is placed in between the two plates that make up the disc.
Artificial disc replacement methods fall into two main categories. One focuses on repairing a damaged disc in the lower back, whereas the other deals with discs in the neck region.
Cervical Spine Disc Replacement Surgery
Each of the seven vertebrae that make up the cervical spine in the neck has a disc to aid in stress absorption.
Cervical spine disc replacement surgery may be beneficial for conditions producing paralysis, numbness, and neck pain. Either the back (posterior) or the abdomen (anterior) is used for cervical spine surgery. The underlying disease determines the type of operation. Among them are:
Cervical spinal disc replacement surgery, sometimes referred to as cervical disc arthroplasty, is removing the injured disc and replacing it with a metal or plastic artificial disc.
Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery
The lumbar spine is composed of five lower back bones and five intervertebral discs. Legs as well as the lower back may experience pain from deteriorated or herniated discs.
Lumbar disc replacement surgery may be a better alternative than spinal fusion surgery, which permanently fuses many vertebrae together, though this differs for each patient and relies on your particular condition. During lumbar disc replacement surgery, the surgeon makes an abdominal incision and replaces the native disc with an artificial one. Based on your unique symptoms and condition, your spine surgeon will assist you in determining the best course of action.
Understanding the detailed procedure of artificial cervical or lumbar disc replacement will help in making the patients feel calmer and more properly prepared. The process will be divided into the following sub-processes:
Preoperative Marking and Anaesthesia: One will come to the surgical centre on the day of the operation. The competent staff will mark the spine which is to be operated upon. After that, anaesthesia will be given, which can be either regional (some parts of the body become numb) or general (the patient falls asleep).
Incision: If one undergoes lumbar disc replacement, the cut will be made in the lower back, while if it is cervical, then it will be performed in the neck. The operation usually aims at damaging as little tissue as necessary.
Accessing the Disc: The surgeon will expertly move muscles and adjacent tissues out of the way to access the damaged disc. This may involve using special instruments or retractors.
Removing the Disc: The surgeon will remove the damaged disc. The adjacent vertebrae and nerves will be handled carefully during the procedure.
Placement of Artificial Disc: After removing the disc, the surgeon will create space for the prosthetic disc. The biocompatible prosthesis will be inserted into the area of the disc. The artificial disc will mimic the functioning of a natural disc and will enable motion and stability.
Closing the Incision: After placement of the prosthetic disc, the surgeon will properly close the incision with sutures or staples.
Recovery Room: Following the treatment, you will be brought to a recovery room where medical personnel will keep an eye on your vital signs as you awaken from anaesthesia. To guarantee your comfort, pain management will be started.
Hospital Stay: You may spend one to three days in the hospital, depending on the intricacy of the procedure and your general health. Physical therapy may start to assist you in regaining your mobility during this period.
Postoperative Instructions: You will receive detailed instructions about activity limitations, pain management, and follow-up appointments after you are released from the hospital. To encourage recovery, adherence to these rules is crucial.
Follow-Up Care: To keep an eye on your recuperation and make sure the artificial disc is operating properly, regular follow-up sessions will be arranged. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your progress and modify your rehabilitation plan as needed.
Prices are indicative only. The hospital sets the final cost after reviewing the patient's case.
In India, prosthetic cervical or lumbar disc replacement typically costs 6,500-9500 USD.
Spinal disc replacement is not a viable option for every patient experiencing neck or back pain. A patient's suitability for this surgery is determined by a number of clinical scenarios and diagnostic standards:
Degenerative Disc Disease: Patients may be eligible for the surgery if they have been diagnosed with severe disc degeneration that causes persistent discomfort and functional impairment. Imaging tests that reveal disc height reduction, dehydration, or other degenerative abnormalities are frequently used to confirm this illness.
Herniated Discs: Spinal disc replacement may become necessary if the herniated disc is putting pressure on the neural structures, causing severe pain or neurological issues. Conservative treatment methods may not have succeeded so far.
Spinal Stenosis: Surgical treatment may be recommended to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves in cases when the cause of spinal stenosis is disc degeneration (spinal canal narrowing) and conservative approaches have not yielded positive outcomes.
Age and Health Factors: In most cases, the age range for candidates for spinal disc replacement is between 18 and 60 years. The patients should not have relevant comorbid conditions that could complicate the surgical procedure; moreover, they should be generally healthy.
Absence of Significant Spinal Instability: The procedure will not suit patients who have significant disease or deformity of the spinal column, and the assessment of spine stability must be performed by the spine specialist.
Expectations of Patients: Candidates must have reasonable expectations regarding the outcome of the operation. Even though the majority of patients reported positive outcomes with alleviation of pain and improvement of functioning, the results may vary based on individual circumstances.
Artificial cervical and lumbar disc replacement entails some risks and potential problems, much like any surgical procedure. Even though many patients report substantial pain alleviation and enhanced function, it's important to understand the common and uncommon hazards connected to the procedure:
Common Risks:
Less Common Risks:
Rare Risks:
Join hundreds of happy patients who choose the right treatment and care.
Get A Quote