Question 1

what is an artificial disc made of?

Accepted Answer

Mostly metal: The are several different materials but usually it is a combination of metal and plastic.

Question 2

what happens during artificial disc surgery?

Accepted Answer

Discectomy: Once the surgical approach to the disc is completed, a typical artificial disc surgery involves removal of the disc cartilage  to prepare for the implant. Ligaments may also be resected in order to alllow for sizing and proper fit of the implant. Once the implant(s) are placed, the tissues are cleansed to remove any debris and the wound is closed.

Question 3

how can total artificial disc prosthesis help?

Accepted Answer

Keeps motion: The benefits of successful disk replacement include preservation of motion of the spine, no stress on the adjacement disk spaces, and avoidance of fusion.  They are not for every patient and there are some pretty strict guidelines as to when they are useful.  
See a surgeon who does them often with great experience in this surgery.

Question 4

what are the pros and cons of 2 level acdf vs 2 level artificial discs?

Accepted Answer

Motion: There are pros/cons of both procedures, but they both should alleviate cervical disc related radiculopathy and have basically the same surgical risks.
Fusion Pro: standard, well understood, routine.
Disc Pro: Preserve motion (less stiff), possibly less adjacent segment degeneration, short recovery
Fusion Con: stiffness, incr. adjacent segment breakdown,
Disc Con: facet arthritis, revise to fusion

Question 5

what does it mean to have cervical artificial disc surgery?

Accepted Answer

Consult with surgeon: Consult with your surgeon about the procedure and the risk and benefit of the procedure and whether there are alternative treatments. Good luck. Wishing you the best.

Question 6

are there any long term studies about the success rate of artificial cervical discs?

Accepted Answer

FDA Trial 7 year f/u: Cervical Disc Arthroplasty has been investigated with a 7 year follow up in the FDA Investigational Device Exemption Study, published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery in 2015. 7 year follow up showed it is a safe and effective procedure comparable to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) and had a lower risk of subsequent surgery compared to ACDF. See:
http://tinyurl.com/zwvrn28

Question 7

what happens after artificial disc replacement?

Accepted Answer

Usually Pain  Less: Usually you pain in lessened, that is, after the recover from the surgery. But this question is best answered by the spine surgeon who is suggesting the disc replacement.

Question 8

what does an artificial disc replacement entail?

Accepted Answer

Like a fusion: Similar to a disk fusion, access to the spine is from the front.
The disk is removed, the vertebrae are prepared and the disk replacement is placed in between the two vertebrae.
Find a neurosurgeon or ortho spine surgeon who does many of these to achieve maximal success.

Question 9

when could an artificial disc replacement be used?

Accepted Answer

Disc Replacement: In my experience disc replacement is best done when you have pure back pain. You would also do best when there is only disc degeneration or a contained disc herniation that has failed all conservative treatment. You also should not have any arthritis of the facet joints.

Question 10

will x-stop work in place of an artificial disc replacement?

Accepted Answer

No: X-stop, achieves decompression by elevating the two dorsal processes, into a slightly bent forward position, which simulates bending forward on a shopping cart to reduce symptoms of spinal stenosis.  An artificial disc actually replaces a damaged disc and provides more normal intervertebral biomechanics and does not, ideally alter sagittal balance.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

What is an artificial disc

A member asked:

What is an artificial disc made of?

A member asked:

What happens during artificial disc surgery?

A member asked:

How can total artificial disc prosthesis help?

A member asked:

What are the pros and cons of 2 level acdf vs 2 level artificial discs?

A member asked:

What does it mean to have cervical artificial disc surgery?

A member asked:

Are there any long term studies about the success rate of artificial cervical discs?

A member asked:

What happens after artificial disc replacement?

A member asked:

What does an artificial disc replacement entail?

A member asked:

When could an artificial disc replacement be used?

A member asked:

Will x-stop work in place of an artificial disc replacement?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?