If you have consistent back pain that’s making it difficult to enjoy your favorite activities, spinal disc replacement is an option to consider. You can discuss your options with a trusted spine surgeon in New Jersey, where you’ll learn about the latest artificial disc replacement technologies and techniques.
Learn more about how to decide whether disc replacement surgery is right for you with this back pain surgery guide.
What Is Spinal Disc Replacement?
Spinal disc replacement surgeons remove any diseased disc tissue from the spine and replace it with artificial disc materials. These implants work for both cervical and lumbar spine disc replacement.
The artificial discs usually consist of a mixture of metal and plastic. Stainless steel or titanium are the most common types of metal used with these artificial discs. These metals last a long time and move smoothly across the plastic, providing the most realistic range of motion compared to an actual spinal disc.
How Common Is Spinal Surgery?
Spinal surgery is a common option for treating chronic back pain. According to iData Research reports for both 2023 and 2024, doctors performed nearly 1.5 million spinal procedures on Americans.
The spinal disc replacement treatment technique was developed more recently than traditional treatments like fusion surgery or spinal decompression surgery. With spinal disc replacement, patients usually receive a greater range of motion in the back and neck while minimizing pain after surgery.
Lumbar disc replacement is expected to continue to grow in popularity as an alternative to spinal fusion. Grand View Research expects this global market’s value to reach $1.34 billion by 2030, more than double its global market value in 2023.
Why Do Doctors Suggest Surgery for Disc Replacement?
When doctors suggest that a patient undergoes spinal disc replacement, they’re looking to treat conditions similar to those that spinal fusion or decompression surgery would treat. It’s recommended over those other techniques for patients who need to maintain a better range of motion after the surgery. Some of the most common conditions surgeons treat with this procedure include:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Bulging discs
- Herniated discs
- Nerve pain generating from the spine
- Compressed spinal cord
- Disc-related pain
Referred pain is another common sign that replacement surgery is a good option. When you have a problem with a disc in your neck or upper back, you might feel referred pain in your arms, hands, and legs instead.
Your surgeon will study your conditions and pain levels before discussing whether replacement of the spinal disc can help. Doctors usually order scans of the spine to verify the existence of disc damage before recommending surgery.
Do Some Surgical Patients Benefit More Than Others?
Older patients experiencing chronic back pain are good candidates for spinal disc replacement treatments. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that most people begin to experience bulging or collapsing cervical discs by age 60.
Patients who want a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to normal activities should consider spinal disc replacement. Fusion surgery usually requires more recovery time in the hospital and results in less range of motion afterward.
Before recommending replacement surgery, doctors will usually try other treatments for back pain and discomfort, including rest, medication, and physical therapy. Such treatments are useful in many circumstances. However, when the disc tissue is diseased or damaged, these treatments struggle to alleviate the pain, often necessitating surgery.
Can Disc Replacement Cause Complications for Patients?
Replacing spinal discs through surgery has many of the same complication risks as other types of surgery. Some of the most common risks of any surgery include:
- Infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Blood clots
- Damage to nearby tissue
- Nerve damage
- Ongoing surgical site pain
- Anesthesia reactions
Because surgeons are placing an artificial disc into the spine, spinal disc replacement has an added complication of the potential failure of the device. The disc materials could wear out prematurely, slip out of place, or fail to operate as intended, which would require a second surgery to correct the issue.
Although rare, some people may suffer an allergic reaction to the materials in the replacement disc. Occasionally, removing one diseased disc and inserting a fully functioning replacement disc might hasten deterioration in nearby discs, necessitating additional replacements in the future.
A skilled and experienced surgeon who understands the latest surgical techniques can greatly minimize all these risks. A thorough examination before surgery can help the surgeon determine whether individuals are at a higher risk of any of these complications.
Rely on Our Spine Surgeon in New Jersey To Discuss Your Spinal Surgery Options
Learn about the benefits of minimally invasive spinal surgery and spinal disc replacement by reaching out to Dr. Grigory Goldberg at the Modern Spine Institute. He has a track record of success designing surgical plans that provide pain relief to his patients.
To schedule an appointment, contact us today. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions or concerns about your spinal surgery options, our spine surgeon in New Jersey is happy to answer them.
Who Receives the Biggest Benefit From Artificial Disc Replacement?
People who suffer from chronic pain in the neck or back tend to benefit most from artificial disc replacement. When less-invasive treatments fail to improve a patient’s health, surgery can help.
Are Some Patients Poor Candidates for Replacement Surgery?
Patients who might be poor candidates for successful disc replacement surgeries include those with other medical conditions. Older patients in poor health might struggle to heal after the procedure.
What Is the Length of Time for a Replacement Surgery?
The surgical process for disc replacement may require up to two hours. During the surgery, doctors remove any damaged discs and replace them with new artificial discs.
What Is the Recovery Period for Replacement Surgery for Discs?
Recovery from spinal disc replacement surgery can take a few weeks for the initial recovery period. Most patients need at least six months for a full recovery and a return to normal physical activities.
