If your spinal disc has degenerated to old age, osteoarthritis, or trauma, a neurosurgeon can correct it through disc surgery. Total Disc Arthroplasty (TDA) involves replacing the damaged intervertebral disc with medical-grade ones made of plastic, metal, or ceramic. Visit a neurosurgeon if you experience persistent back pains, which might signify a damaged intervertebral disc. Here is what to know about disc replacement surgery if you are diagnosed with a degenerated spinal disc:
Signs You Need Disc Surgery
A damaged intervertebral disc poses several issues, like pain that recurs even after you undergo physical therapy or take pain management medications. During disc degeneration, the cushioning between intervertebral discs, which assists in absorbing shock, wears out or breaks down gradually. This reduces the normal disc space (spinal canal), causing strain against the nerves and joints and causing potential back pain. Because of nerve compression in the spinal canal, a lack of sensory signals may potentially result in numbness.
As the cushioning (nucleus pulposus) of intervertebral discs degenerates, the discs can produce inflammatory molecules known as cytokines. These substances irritate the ends or roots of spinal nerves, causing a feeling of tingling. When the spinal disc cushioning degenerates excessively, reduced spinal stability makes it difficult to walk or sit for long periods. Pain, numbness, and tingling as the spinal disc degenerates may be experienced in the buttocks, legs, arms, shoulders, and neck. During disc surgery, a neurosurgeon removes the bulged or herniated intervertebral disc and bone spurs, which compress spinal nerves. The artificial disc used to replace the degenerated can help you regain your spinal stability and mobility gradually.
Advantages of Disc Replacement Surgery
Disc replacement surgery is an alternative option to various conservative treatments for managing spinal pain and offers permanent results. This surgical procedure is not invasive like traditional spinal surgeries, so it is less likely to cause excessive blood loss. Because of its minimally invasive nature, it will likely take less time to recover, regain stability, and resume routine tasks. Undergoing disc replacement surgery minimizes the risks of scarring, which can cause complications like nerve impingement, inflammation, and chronic post-operation pain. When you undergo this surgical procedure, you can avoid bone grafts, which may cause bone regrowth or spurs later. You might also avoid inflammation, occurrences of infections, and slow recovery.
Types of Total Disc Arthroplasty
Discectomy is one of the procedures that a neurosurgeon can perform as part of the total disc arthroplasty procedure. During a discectomy, the surgeon examines the level of bulging or herniation of an interverbal disc to remove it correctly and relieve nerve compression. Disc replacement surgery can also involve laminectomy, where the neurosurgeon removes a small part of the spinal lamina. A spinal lamina is a small arched or curved bone at each vertebra’s back to keep the entire spinal column stable. This arched bone also forms part of the spinal canal to allow for smooth nerve functioning. If the lamina has overgrown, a neurosurgeon removes part of it, increasing the spinal space and minimizing pressure against the nerves.
Contact a Neurogeon for Total Disc Arthroplasty
Visiting a neurosurgeon for disc surgery allows you to get new artificial intervertebral discs that help minimize pain and inflammation resulting from spinal nerve compression. Before going for disc arthroplasty, consult your neurosurgeon about ways to prepare, including medications and foods to avoid. Contact a professional neurosurgeon for disc arthroplasty if you experience symptoms of a damaged or degenerated spinal disc.
