Spine Disc Replacement: Surgery for Pain Relief
Back and neck pain is a very common condition, but only a few people with back pain or neck pain have to opt for surgery to get relief. However, surgery is not indicated for all, Spine Disc Replacement is indicative for only those patients who are having back or neck pain for more than six months and there is no relief in symptoms even after medication. (How does back pain affect productivity?)
The disc that can be replaced are:
- Lumbar disc, and
- Cervical disc
Cervical Disc Replacement
Indications
Cervical degenerative disc disease with clinical features of cervical radiculopathy, or myelopathy which has shown no improvement to conservative treatment.
Contraindications
- People having spondylosis or foraminal stenosis.
- In cases where there is compression of spinal nerve
- People having diffuse ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament
- Severe kyphotic deformity
- Active infections
- Malignancy
- Inflammatory spondyloarthropathy
- Allergy to implant materials
- Metabolic bone disease like Osteoporosis, renal osteodystrophy
- Osteoporosis
The risk associated with cervical disc replacement:
- Bleeding
- Infections
- Nerve injury
- Spinal fluid leak
- Voice change
- Difficulty in breathing and swallowing
Complications of cervical disc replacement surgery:
- Fever
- Headache
- Pain that does not respond to pain killers.
- Redness at the site of incision
- Numbness and weakness
- Difficulty in breathing and swallowing
- Hoarseness
Lumbar Disc Replacement:
Indications:
Lumbar disc replacement is indicated for people with back pain mostly from 1 or 2 disks in the lower spine and is not excessively overweight.
Contraindication
- Overweight
- Previous history of spine fusion
- History of spine surgery
- Spondylosis
- Joint disease
- Spinal deformity such as scoliosis
- History of failed spine surgery
- People younger than 60 years of age.
The risk associated with lumbar disc replacement:
- Infections
- Narrowing of spine
- Stiffness of spine
- Blood clots in legs due to decreased activities
Complications of lumbar disc replacement surgery:
- Infections
- Dislocation of the disc
- Bladder problems
- Bleeding
- Vertebra fracture
- Male sexual dysfunction
- Phlebitis
- Spinal fluid leak
- Slow intestinal movement
- Nerve or Spinal cord damage
Spine Disc Replacement Pre-surgery preparation
- Avoid smoking at least a few days before surgery
- Inform the doctor about the medicines taken
- Avoid any food or drink at least 6 hours before surgery
What to expect during the procedure:
- Anesthesia is administered
- The surgeons make an incision near the site of disc replacement
- Replacement of the old disc with a new one
- Suturing of the incision together by catgut
Postoperative care:
- The patient is shifted to the ICU post-operation.
- The patient stays about 4-5 days in the hospital.
- Provide necessary support for the movement of the patient.
- Start solid food gradually and in case of cervical disc replacement liquid should be started only once the pain starts to subside.
- Encourage physical activities slowly.
- Avoid contacting infections.
When to see a doctor?
Do visit the doctor if you experience any of the complications or any new symptoms or aggravation of old symptoms.
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My cousin has been suffering from extreme and persistent back pain for almost a year now, so she’s considering getting spine correction surgery done soon to relieve the pain. Thank you for informing us that surgery is not for everybody, and is indicated for patients who have had neck and back pain for more than six months without relief even after medication. I’ll take note of this while I help her look for a health center that offers treatments for spinal deformities soon.