Artificial Disc Replacement
What is Artificial Disc Replacement?
In the past, bone fusion surgery aimed only at preventing deformity or instability of the spine was mainly performed, but it limited bending and extending the neck and lower back. Artificial Disc Replacement was developed to overcome this drawback. In this operation the severely damaged disc is completely removed and a new artificial disc is inserted. It provides immediate pain relief, allows natural movement just like the original disc and minimizes degeneration of the adjacent segments, so it is drawing attention as a highly effective disc surgery.
Artificial Disc Replacement procedure
In lumbar artificial disc replacement, a 3~4cm abdominal incision is made under anesthesia; the affected area is checked in real time while the damaged disc and bone fragments are removed, and an ergonomically designed, optimized artificial disc is inserted.
Symptoms
- 1
- In cases of recurrent disc herniation
- 2
- When disc degeneration has caused loss of disc function
- 3
- When degeneration flattens the disc and narrows the space between the vertebrae
- 4
- When spinal deformity or spinal instability with a shifting spine is also present
- 5
- When a spinal condition causes severe pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, motor impairment or paraplegia
- 6
- When non-surgical treatment such as drug therapy, physiotherapy and epidural neuroplasty has been given for over 6 months without effect
Benefits of Artificial Disc Replacement
- The neck and back move freely after surgery.
- The lower back moves flexibly, and a comfortable back with no foreign-body sensation can be restored.
- The neck and back move freely after surgery.
- The lower back moves flexibly, and a comfortable back with no foreign-body sensation can be restored.
- By minimizing the risk of adjacent segment degeneration, the rate of revision surgery can be reduced.
- Performed through a minimal incision, it is safe and recovery is fast.
- For lumbar disc herniation the artificial disc is inserted through the abdomen rather than the back, so after-effects from damage to the vertebrae are extremely rare.
- The hospital stay is about 2~3 days, and normal daily life is possible from one week after surgery.
Post-treatment precautions
- Treatment results and duration may vary depending on individual symptoms.
- Very rarely, bleeding, infection or blood clots may occur with surgery or procedures.
- Temporary side effects may occur after treatment and vary with each individual's condition.
