Overview
Cervical disc replacement (also called cervical arthroplasty) is an alternative to ACDF for selected patients. The damaged disc is removed through the front of the neck and replaced with an artificial disc designed to preserve motion at that level.
It is used for arm pain or spinal cord compression caused by a disc problem, in patients without significant arthritis of the facet joints or instability.
Watch and learn
Video: “Recovery After Cervical Total Disc Replacement | Disc Arthroplasty Surgery Recovery vs. Neck Fusion” from Centinel Spine on YouTube. It loads from youtube-nocookie.com only when you press play. Shown for general education; GSMC did not produce it. Watch on YouTube
Video: “Cervical Disc Replacement - Dr. Charles Edwards, II - Mercy Medical Center” from Mercy Medical Center - Baltimore on YouTube. It loads from youtube-nocookie.com only when you press play. Shown for general education; GSMC did not produce it. Watch on YouTube
Captions: press the CC button in the video player to turn on captions. Some captions are generated automatically by YouTube and may contain errors.
Who may be a candidate
- One or two levels of disc herniation or degeneration causing arm symptoms or cord compression
- Symptoms that have not improved with nonsurgical care
- No significant facet arthritis, instability or osteoporosis
Your exam, imaging and overall health decide whether this surgery is appropriate for you.
How it is done
- General anesthesia through a small front-of-neck incision, as in ACDF.
- The disc and any bone spurs are removed to free the nerves or cord.
- An artificial disc sized to your spine is inserted between the vertebrae.
- The incision is closed; many patients go home the same or next day.
This procedure is often done on an outpatient basis. Procedures that are appropriate for outpatient care may be performed at GSMC’s surgery center; others are done in a hospital. Your surgeon will explain where your procedure would take place.
Recovery timeline
Sore throat and swallowing changes are common at first; walking and light activity encouraged.
Return to desk work for many people; no fusion healing period is needed.
Return to most activities as advised.
Recovery depends on the procedure, your health and how many levels are treated. Your surgeon will give you a written plan.
Risks
Every surgery has risks. Your surgeon will review them with you, including:
- Swallowing difficulty or hoarseness
- Infection or bleeding
- Device problems such as wear or movement
- Bone formation around the device that limits motion
- Need for later surgery
Alternatives to consider
See all nonsurgical options, or ask for a second opinion.
Who performs it
Call 732-202-3000 to confirm which surgeon performs this procedure and where.
Frequently asked questions
Is disc replacement better than fusion?
For well-selected patients, outcomes are comparable, with motion preserved. Not everyone is a candidate.
How long does an artificial disc last?
Current devices are designed for long-term use; your surgeon will discuss available data.
Can I have it at more than one level?
Some devices are approved for one or two levels.
This page is general patient education and does not replace advice from your own clinician. Individual results vary. No outcome can be promised.