Artificial disc replacement surgery can be a great treatment option, used in place of spinal fusion. It involves the replacement of a damaged disc that occurs within the lower back region. The reason why it’s a good alternative is that spinal fusion often won’t lead to proper healing. Artificial disc replacement became more widely available as a treatment method within the early 2000s. If a person suffers a damaged disc for six months or more, it can become a good option to have. This is especially true when other methods haven’t worked, such as anti-inflammatory medication or physiotherapy treatment.

The Aims of Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

There are a number of aims that artificial disc surgery seeks to provide. These include:

• Removal and replacement of the damaged disc
• Reduction in lower back pain
• Restoration to the height of the disc
• Improved motion and mobility

When compared to spinal fusion, artificial disc surgery can lead to faster healing, better mobility, and less stress caused to the disc within the area.

The Process Involved in Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

While the patient goes through treatment, an anesthetic is delivered. An incision is made to the lower abdomen, where the degenerated disc is removed and then replaced. Patients are usually required to remain under care for about three to four days in total for the treatment.

While there are still concerns over the effectiveness of the treatment, patients generally report seeing improvements. Less pain in the area of the lower back is usually experienced, and the treatment appears to provide better outcomes than spinal fusion therapy. Though, the new discs are not seen by all to be that stable. While discs have slipped out of place on some occasions, this does seems to be a rare occurrence. Again, when compared with spinal fusion, it tends to provide much better and safer results.

Testing Requirements and Diagnoses

The patient must first undertake an assessment to ensure that artificial disc replacement surgery will be a suitable treatment for them. It can also help doctors to identify where the pain lies and what its cause is. The assessment also includes a full detailed overview of the patient’s medical history, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scanning. Bones and discs will be looked at under the images produced from these scans.

Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery That’s Available for You

If you require the help of artificial disc replacement surgery, one clinic that offers it is Lanman Spinal Neurosurgery. Operating within Beverly Hills, if you’re in the area, this clinic will be for you.