Question 1

what is a cervical disc replacement and fusion with titanium plates and screws?

Accepted Answer

Fusion: Replacement these days often refers to an artificial disk. As you are using the term, the disk is removed and replaced with a spacer (bone, metal, plastic, bone substitute). The plate and screws provide additional stability. The bones connected by the spacer and plate grow together (ideally) to form a single bone.

Question 2

has anybody had a cervical disc replacement and fusion with plates and screws?  would he be permanently stiff?

Accepted Answer

YES: One of the advantages of cervical disc replacement surgery is that it does not preclude an arthrodesis if the replacement fails or does not provide the desired relief of symptoms. When a fusion is is required it will leave you with an absence of motion at the segment(s) fused. If this is 1 or 2 motion segments the lost of motion is not noticable to the person.

Question 3

i'm 1 week post op from a c5-6 total disc replacement and c6-7 fusion. (acdf) i am still having bad shoulder pain is this normal? i am still on meds

Accepted Answer

Postop Symptoms: No, not particularly normal. Understand, pain sometimes does not resolve immediately. I typically expect arm/shoulder pain to be better postop fairly quickly. Preop neck pain may or may not resolve completely. At the fusion level, if bone spurs were the problem and were not removed at time of surgery, it takes time for the body to do this and you don't get an instant result. Be patient for now.

Question 4

how safe is fusion after artificial disc replacement and is it effective?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Artificial disc replacement can be done for cervical and lumbar conditions.  Revision surgery in the cervical spine to either add a fusion or convert the replacement to a fusion is effective, with minimal added surgical risk.  Such procedures in the lumbar spine, depending on the implant used and the level(s) treated, can carry significant added surgical risks. Discuss with your surgeon.

Question 5

what is a cervical disc replacement with fusion?

Accepted Answer

Fusion: Replacement these days often refers to an artificial disk. As you are using the term, the disk is removed and replaced with a spacer (bone, metal, plastic, bone substitute). The plate and screws provide additional stability. The bones connected by the spacer and plate grow together (ideally) to form a single bone.

Question 6

neck pain 2 years. tingling r hand. no weakness.tried steroid facet jab. no luck.doc said disc replacement won't help with neck pain. suggested fusion?

Accepted Answer

First: Is the hand symptoms due to the neck problem (have you had an EMG performed ? ). Laminectomy with fusion may be an option. Has cervical traction been attempted?

Question 7

c4-c5, c5-c6 disc replacement surgery. interbody cage fusion cause adjacent discs to degenerate but using mobi-c will not. true?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: A theoretical advantage of artificial disk replacement is reduction in risk of other disks degenerating. Fusion is associated with this problem, but it is only one factor. Disk replacements in the neck do well, but may not always prevent disk problems at other levels. Ongoing research looking at long term outcomes are needed to answer this question. Early results are promising.

Question 8

acdf vs  disc replacement:  which one is better? what is the criteria for a cervical disc replacement. i already have a fusion at c5-7. c4-5 herniated

Accepted Answer

Acdf or New disc: This is a good question. Both treatments are likely to be effective in the short term. Generally, patients with previous fusions should get an extension of their fusion. Disc replacement on the end of prior fusions have been performed but the long term benefits are unknown.

Question 9

what are the long term effects of doing a interbody cage fusion after discectomy for my c4-c5, c5-c6 total disc replacement? any better methods?

Accepted Answer

Stiffness: Stiffness adjacent segment degeneration the disc replacment was the better method rember these procedures are sucessful in treating arm pain not neck ache.

Question 10

c5/6/7 reduced disc height, mild stenosis, bulge, osteophytes. doc said disc replacement no help in neck pain coz of discs condition. do fusion. true?

Accepted Answer

Arthritis

Arthritis: Is the most likely cause of your pain. Do not let your desperation cause you to have unnecessary surgery. 
Find a pain management specialist who treats injured joints in the cervical area.

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Doctor answers about:

Disc replacement and fusion

A member asked:

What is a cervical disc replacement and fusion with titanium plates and screws?

A member asked:

Has anybody had a cervical disc replacement and fusion with plates and screws? would he be permanently stiff?

A member asked:

I'm 1 week post op from a c5-6 total disc replacement and c6-7 fusion. (acdf) i am still having bad shoulder pain is this normal? i am still on meds

A member asked:

How safe is fusion after artificial disc replacement and is it effective?

A member asked:

What is a cervical disc replacement with fusion?

A member asked:

Neck pain 2 years. tingling r hand. no weakness.tried steroid facet jab. no luck.doc said disc replacement won't help with neck pain. suggested fusion?

A member asked:

C4-c5, c5-c6 disc replacement surgery. interbody cage fusion cause adjacent discs to degenerate but using mobi-c will not. true?

A member asked:

Acdf vs disc replacement: which one is better? what is the criteria for a cervical disc replacement. i already have a fusion at c5-7. c4-5 herniated

A member asked:

What are the long term effects of doing a interbody cage fusion after discectomy for my c4-c5, c5-c6 total disc replacement? any better methods?

A member asked:

C5/6/7 reduced disc height, mild stenosis, bulge, osteophytes. doc said disc replacement no help in neck pain coz of discs condition. do fusion. true?

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