For those that need spinal surgery, hearing about a disc replacement procedure may certainly seem more than a bit scary to think about. After all, your spinal column is an incredibly important part of our body. The spinal discs, in particular, are what allow us to do virtually all of the various movements we take for granted.
It is only when these discs have suffered damage or begun to shrink and wear with age that alternative methods and avenues are required – namely artificial disc replacement surgery.
What Is An Artificial Disc Replacement?
Here, a disc replacement, also known as Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) is a surgical procedure that is done to replace a damaged, worn, or otherwise degenerated spinal disc in a person’s spine, replacing it instead with an entirely artificial device. The procedure is used to allow a person the ability to rebuild their spinal joints while also offering the required cushioning for many of the various normal functions (such as bending, twisting, turning, and even walking).
Below is a set of complete disc replacement videos that visually go over all the different steps of how the process is performed.
If you are unsure if you need an artificial disc replacement procedure, consider consulting with a licensed clinical physician at your earliest convivence. They will help break down and go over what your options are and what will work best for you and your situation.
What Is A Lumbar Disc Replacement?
Another spinal-based surgical procedure is the lumbar disc replacement procedure. This process is done when the spinal discs in the lower back (ie., lumbar) have begun to injure or degrade. Similar to the standard disc replacement practice, the damaged spinal discs are replaced with artificial ones, here being metal discs that, when properly installed, should offer the same extensive range of motion that you’d naturally have while simultaneously relieving any lower back pain you may be feeling.
What Is A Cervical Spine Disc Replacement?
Like the standard and lumbar-related disc replacement procedures, the cervical spine disc replacement procedure results in a replacement of the spinal discs found near the cervical area. The cervical vertebrae makes up the upper back and neck portion of the spine and is required for various movements included moving our neck, head, and upper body. A surgical procedure dealing with this area includes adding artificial metal discs to the worn discs in the neck, replacing them outright to allow pain relief and a full range of motion once again.