Your Expert Guide for Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement

Cervical disc degeneration is one of the most common spine conditions. In fact, research finds that over half of all adults show signs of cervical disc degeneration on imaging. As the soft discs between the bones of your neck wear down over time, they can press on nearby nerves, triggering pain that can travel into your shoulders, arms, and hands, and making it hard to turn your head, sleep, or even sit at a desk. When physical therapy, over-the-counter pain medication, massage, and rest are not providing enough relief, neck surgery becomes a great treatment option. 

Cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR) is the best and fastest growing treatment option, because it removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial one that keeps your neck moving naturally, without fusing the bones together. 

Read on to learn more about cervical artificial disc replacement, who is a good candidate, what to expect during and after surgery, and where to find the best spine surgery in Los Angeles for cervical ADR.

What is Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement?

Your neck is made up of seven small bones called vertebrae, and between each pair of bones sits a rubbery disc that acts as both a cushion and a hinge. That disc absorbs the shock of daily movement, including when you turn your head, nod, and tilt in any direction. When a cervical disc breaks down from age, injury, or overuse, it can flatten, crack, or bulge outward and press against a nearby nerve. That nerve pressure is often what causes the burning or shooting pain that travels from your neck into your shoulders or down your arm. 

Cervical disc replacement is a spinal surgery that removes all remnants of that diseased disc and replaces it with an artificial one designed to closely mimic the movement of a natural disc. The artificial disc fits snugly between the two vertebrae and holds that space open, the way the original disc was supposed to. 

You may also hear this procedure called total disc replacement, cervical disc arthroplasty, or CDR. The goal of CDR is to relieve cervical pain while letting your neck continue to move naturally. 

Who is a Good Candidate for Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement?

Not everyone who has neck pain is a candidate for cervical disc replacement, and that is important to understand before you get your hopes too high or too low. Cervical spine surgery for disc replacement is commonly recommended for people who have: 

• Cervical degenerative disc disease with pinched nerves, known as radiculopathy
• Spinal cord compression, known as myelopathy
• Osteoarthritis
• Herniated discs in the neck

The best spine surgeon in Los Angeles usually recommends this procedure if conservative treatments like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, and rest have not worked to manage your symptoms.

Additionally, good candidates typically have pain caused by one or two problem discs in the cervical spine, with no significant facet joint disease or bony compression on spinal nerves. The only way to know for sure whether you qualify is to have the best spine surgeon in Los Angeles evaluate your imaging, whether that is an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray, along with performing a detailed physical exam and reviewing your medical history and symptoms.

Cervical Disc Replacement vs. ACDF: What is the Difference?

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is another common type of neck surgery that is recommended for some cases of cervical disc disease. ACDF has been the standard surgical treatment for cervical disc disease for decades, and it works well for many people. But one major downside is that it permanently stops all movement at the treated level by fusing two vertebrae together with a bone graft and hardware. Cervical disc replacement takes a different approach by preserving that movement. 

What Are the Risks and Complications of Cervical Disc Replacement?

Every surgery carries risk, and cervical disc replacement is no different. Knowing what those risks are can help you make this decision with clear eyes. Potential risks include: 

• Anesthesia complications
• Allergic reactions
• Blood clotting, especially in those with conditions related to heart disease
• Infection at the incision site
• Infection of the artificial disc 

Any spine surgery carries a risk of damaging the nerves or spinal cord, which could cause numbness or even paralysis. However, the most common reason for persistent pain after surgery is pre-existing nerve damage from the disc herniation itself. 

What to Expect During and After Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery

Knowing what is going to happen can make your experience feel less overwhelming: 

• Cervical disc replacement is performed under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep and will not feel or remember anything during the procedure. 
• The surgery typically lasts one to two hours and is done as a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure, with most patients going home a few hours after it is complete. 
• The procedure is performed through a small incision on the front of your neck, usually about one to two inches long.
• During surgery, the entire disc is removed, the vertebrae above and below are prepared, and the artificial disc is placed in the correct position. 
• When you wake up in recovery, you will likely have some minor pain and soreness in your neck, and your throat may feel sore for a day or two because of the position of the surgical approach. 
• It is common to have temporary sore muscles when swallowing for a few days after surgery.
• A soft or rigid neck collar may be placed immediately after the procedure to limit motion during early healing. 
• Most people feel well enough to move around and begin short walks the same day or the day after surgery. 
• Most patients can return to driving and desk work within one to two weeks, while returning to strenuous activity or physical labor generally takes six to twelve weeks. 
• Physical therapy is often recommended a few weeks post-surgery to help rebuild strength and range of motion in your neck. 

Finding the Best Spine Surgeon in Los Angeles for Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

Choosing the right spine surgeon is the first and most important part of freeing yourself from chronic neck pain. In Beverly Hills, Dr. Parham Yashar is a fellowship-trained, board-certified neurosurgeon who has dedicated his career to minimally invasive spine surgery and motion preservation. 

We bring advanced imaging, intraoperative support, and outpatient surgical techniques to every case, including cervical artificial disc replacement. And if surgery is not the right answer yet, we offer personalized treatment options for all neck and spine conditions. Our goal is to give you the most effective and long-lasting treatment option for neck pain and mobility preservation. 

Ready to get effective relief of cervical spine pain with the best spine surgeon in Los Angeles for cervical ADR?