It may be time to consider disc replacement surgery when a faulty disc results in excruciating neck or back pain. Dr. Mesiwala has years of experience performing Rancho Cucamonga disc replacement surgery, preserving the full range of motion in patients with damaged or collapsed discs.
An Overview of Disc Replacement Surgery
A total disc arthroplasty (TDA), also known as an artificial disc replacement, is a minimally invasive technique that involves eliminating the damaged intervertebral disc and replacing it with an artificial one. Removing the faulty disc results in spinal instability, a problem your doctor rectifies with disc replacement or spinal fusion. Both techniques restore spinal stability and relieve your pain, and spinal fusion is safer and more effective in spine disorders like deformities and fractures.
However, this treatment inhibits movement between the fused vertebrae, while an artificial disc preserves the normal function of your spine. The disc functions like your original disc, allowing you to have stability and a full range of motion. Additionally, disc replacement surgery guarantees a shorter recovery period, minimal postoperative pain, and decreased degradation rate of adjacent discs.
Reasons Why Medical Experts Prefer TDA
A fusion with rods and screws limits the range of motion of your spine. At the same time, a disc replacement preserves full mobility allowing you to resume your daily activities without difficulties. In addition, if your lower back or neck disc collapses and your motion stops, a disc replacement surgery can restore movement. This treatment also does not result in adjacent level degeneration, reducing your chances of needing additional surgery later. The specialists can perform most of the lumbar and cervical disc replacements in an outpatient center, ensuring you go home immediately after your treatment. Generally, a disc replacement guarantees minimal hospital stays and is inexpensive compared to spinal infusion.
Why Consider Disc Replacement Surgery
You may need lumbar or cervical disc replacement surgery if you have degenerative disc disease or a herniated disc. Both medical disorders trigger the disc to collapse, leading to spinal instability. Damaged discs cause wear and tear in your facet joints, causing arthritis. A missing vertebral disc also minimizes the size of your vertebral openings, compressing your spinal nerve roots and nerves, and leading to inflammation and excruciating pain.
A Step-by-Step Procedure for Disc Replacement Surgery
Dr. Mesiwala utilizes an anterior approach when performing a minimally invasive disc replacement surgery. The method involves creating an incision on your abdomen or neck for a lumbar or cervical disc. As an expert in this technique, he only needs to make an incision one to two inches long for a lumbar disc and a one and half inch long cervical incision. The anterior approach allows your doctor to direct the narrow equipment through your muscles without damaging your joints.
He also carefully moves body structures like your abdominal organs, esophagus, and blood vessels without causing any harm to them. Disc replacement is the safest procedure compared to other techniques like foraminotomies and laminectomies.
Call Dr. Mesiwala or schedule an appointment online to explore disc replacement surgery.
