herniated disc options

[DADDYBEAR1967]

is disc replacement (artificial) an option for the disc between c4&5 and c6&7 ???? i saw the doctor for the first time today and when he looked at the mri he said that because of all of my symptoms and how deep the disc is pressing into my spine i need immediate surgery !!! this i do not doubt . but my problem is that i dont like the idea of the disc being fused together if there is a better option . so is an artificial disc an option ???? please help  ???  


This discussion is related to Herniated Cervical Disc.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Spinal fusion is a very commonly done surgical procedure. Though it eliminates the chances for further disc protrusion, there is hardly any movement possible at the joint. And to add to it, the other joints have to bear the extra pressure, increasing their chance of disc herniation.

Artificial disc replacement is an option these days. The discs are inserted after the original one is removed. They are given support so that they don't slip out of the cavity.

If it is available in your area, please ask for it.

Regards

[SilverLining00]

Hi Daddybear,
I am anxious to hear what the doc has to say about it...  12 years ago I had C5-6-7 fused.  I'm not sorry I did it, after all, I probably would have lost total use of my arm had I waited much longer.  A few years after, though, they started developing the prosthetic disks.  I hope it is an option for you.  The fusion I have makes sleeping on my stomach near impossible (my favorite position), and I get headaches if I stay in bed too long after I wake up, but other than that, it hasn't been too bad.