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Cervical disc prosthesis

“Cervical disc prosthesis can restore natural motion and normal sagittal balance of the spine while fusion surgery cannot.”

A disc implant in the neck allows the spine to move normally, as it did before the injury. Instead, a fusion surgery joins the bones together, limiting movement.

  • Cervical disc replacement:This is an artificial implant that replaces the damaged disc between the vertebrae in your neck.
  • Restoring natural movement:This means that your spine can bend and twist like it did before your injury.
  • Normal sagittal balance:This refers to the natural curvature of your spine when viewed from the side.
  • Fusion surgery:This is a procedure that permanently joins two or more vertebrae,eliminating movement between them.
Prótesis disco cervical

The science and evolution behind the development of the next generation of prosthetics

Cervical disc replacement allows treatment of cervical disc pathologies while preserving segmental motion. Advantages over traditional fusion surgery include preservation of range of motion, prevention of nonunion, reduction in the incidence of adjacent segment disease, and a dramatic decrease in the need for secondary surgeries at both the same and adjacent levels. Although the first disc replacement was performed more than 50 years ago, the technology has gained momentum over the past 2 decades.

The increasing number of available implants, widespread demand, and the availability of high-quality data demonstrating superior outcomes to fusion suggest that fusion may ultimately become the new standard of care for cervical disc disease. (Derman PB, Zigler JE. Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: Rationale and History. Int J Spine Surg. 2020 Aug;14(s2):S5-S13. doi: 10.14444/7086)

In a recent study, patients who underwent artificial disc replacement had a reduced risk of future repeat surgery. For patients who had a single-level disc replacement at seven-year follow-up, only 3% had additional surgery, whereas 12.3% of fusion surgery patients had additional surgery. For patients with a two-level replacement compared with patients with a two-level fusion at seven years after surgery, 4.4% of those with a replacement and 16.2% of those with a fusion needed additional surgery.

Indications

  • Cervical disc herniation
  • Canal stenosis
  • Radiculopathy
  • Foraminal stenosis
  • Foraminal stenosis
Currently, endoscopic spinal surgery in Barcelona achieves the objective of widening the central canal, using an ultra-minimally invasive technique.
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Clinical case

62-year-old woman with herniated disc and degenerative disc disease C5-C6 treated with discectomy and disc arthroplasty (Baguera-C prosthesis)

hernia discal y discopatia degenerativa C5-C6
hernia discal y discopatía degenerativa C5-C6
FAQ
How long does it take to recover from a disc replacement?

Patients typically need between 3 and 5 weeks to recover from the procedure. Three months is the maximum amount of time that can be expected for a full recovery. Most people can manage pain in the first few days after surgery with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

What can't be done after a disk replacement?

Minimizing or limiting neck bending and flexion helps protect the healing cervical disc during the first few weeks. Avoid lifting heavy objects that may place undue stress on the cervical spine. Patients are generally instructed to avoid heavy lifting during the period immediately following surgery.

Can I live a normal life after a disc replacement?

Cervical disc replacement has several benefits (it relieves pain and improves flexibility and recovery of spinal function), but above all, this surgery offers patients the possibility of returning to their sports and work activities without any specific limitations.