Discectomy with Fusion

Cervical discectomy and fusion is a procedure in which the disc is removed and the disc space is distracted open to allow opening of the foramen and give the nerve root more room. A bone graft is left in the disc space to keep it distracted. The surgical procedure is reliable in terms of pain relief and has minimal morbidity (such as postoperative pain). It can usually be done with an overnight hospital stay and then takes about 2 to 6 weeks to return to normal activities.

 The main problems with fusing bones in the cervical spine are that adjacent levels in the cervical spine are placed under more strain. This has increased “wear and tear” at the surrounding disc space levels has been termed “adjacent segment disease”. We now know that if 10 people have a single level fusion, at 10 years 2 have had to have another operation for narrowing at the next level either above or below. Secondly, the bone does not always heal or "fuse" correctly. In fact, the overall success rates for these procedures range from 40% to 90%. Movement is also lost, with a loss of movement at one or more levels.

Although cervical fusion surgery of the vertebra is often recomended. The resulting elimination of the natural range of motion and further damage to adjacent discs have been a serious problem.

Over the past 15 years a breakthrough treatment for cervical Degenerative Disc Disease and disc herniation has been developed in Europe known as Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) or Disc Arthroplasty. A disc prosthesis is implanted between the vertebra after removing the core of the damaged disc. Disc space is restored and range of motion is maintained limiting further damage. Cervical Disc Replacement can also be used to eliminate damage in adjacent discs where previous spinal fusion exists.

Disc Replacement or Disc Arthroplasty, as compared to other orthopedic disciplines, is the next evolutionary step in spine surgery. Cervical Disc Replacement is now commercially available in Europe and many other countries. FDA trials are underway and should be concluded within the next few years, although many Americans have been going to Germany, to avoid Spinal Fusion and get their Artificial Disc Replacement surgery for years. 

Artificial Disc Replacement | Degenerative Disc Disease | Discectomy and Laminotomy | Discectomy with Fusion | Foraminal Stenosis | Cervical DDD

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