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

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.

Common procedure: An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with instrumentation is a common procedure to address cervical disc herniations, degenerative spondylosis and occasional to treat instability from trauma. A fusion will eliminate the motion at the involved joint segments. Most patients do well. For very good information and videos, check out spine-health.Com.

Traditional standard: A procedure designed to remove a damaged disc, from the front of the neck, and then reconstruct it in a way to preserve architecture of the spine, while eliminating motion at that joint. It is the traditional gold standard for herniated disc treatment, but modern expert use of disc replacement is proving a great alternative, allowing for continued motion and faster recovery.

Terms confusion: Disc replacement usually refers to an artificial disc implant. The disc is removed during fusion operation and replaced with bone or an implant and this may referred to as a disc replacement. This is a misnomer. For more information , visit www.eSpine.com