Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery

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Cervical disc replacement surgery is a surgical procedure done to replace the diseased cervical disc with an artificial disc. Cervical disc replacement surgery is a new advanced spine surgery that preserves normal movement of the spine as compared to traditional cervical spine fusion surgery. It is a kind of joint replacement procedure to treat the problems caused by damaged cervical discs.
The basic goals that a Cervical disc replacement surgery aims to achieve are-
Relieve nerve compression- When a cervical disc gets damaged and prolapsed, it can compress the spinal nerve or spinal cord or both which results in chronic pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness of the arm. Replacing the degenerative disc with an artificial cervical disc relieves the pressure on any compressed nerves.
Maintain motion at the repaired spinal level- An artificial cervical disc helps to maintain the motion at the surgery level.

The procedure of Cervical Disc replacement surgery

To undergo this surgery, the patient is given general anesthesia. An incision is made in the front of the neck of the patient and then the cervical disc replacement surgeon will shift the structures of the neck aside to get a clear vision of the spine. Then, the damaged or degenerative cervical disc is removed and an artificial disc is inserted in the disc space. The muscle and skin incisions are then sewed back and the patient is then shifted to the recovery room and is kept under observation.
There will be discomfort and pain post operatively which improves in 1-2 days. Patients are typically discharged after a day or two from the hospital. Physical therapy is started after 1-2 weeks from the surgery.

Risks of Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery

All surgeries involve some risks and Cervical disc replacement is relatively a safe procedure.
  • Reaction to anesthesia
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Nerve injury
  • Spinal fluid leak
  • Temporary Changes in voice
  • Stroke
  • Temporary difficulty in swallowing
  • Failure to relieve symptoms
  • Broken or loosened artificial discs
There can be other risks as well associated with cervical disc replacement surgery depending on the specific medical condition.

If you have been suffering from herniated/ damaged/ diseased Cervical disc and your neurosurgeon has recommended undergoing surgery, then get a second opinion from another neurosurgeon to explore all the available treatment options. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Cervical disc replacement (CDR) replaces the damaged cervical disc with an artificial motion-preserving implant instead of fusing the bones together. Unlike ACDF, CDR maintains natural neck movement at the treated level and may reduce the risk of adjacent segment disease over the long term. It is an excellent option for selected younger, active patients.

Ideal candidates for cervical disc replacement are patients under 60 with single or two-level cervical disc disease, good bone quality, no significant facet joint arthritis, and no instability. Patients with these characteristics typically achieve better outcomes with disc replacement than with fusion in terms of motion preservation and long-term adjacent level protection.

Modern cervical disc replacement implants are designed to last decades and are made from biocompatible materials such as titanium and medical-grade polyethylene. Long-term studies show excellent durability and safety profiles over 10+ years. Regular follow-up imaging confirms implant position and function.