Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement

In this video, minimally invasive spine surgeon Dr. Kern Singh explains what is artificial cervical disc replacement and when artificial cervical disc replacement is indicated.

What is an artificial cervical disc replacement? An artificial cervical disc replacement is a minimally invasive, motion-preserving procedure that allows spine surgeons to treat disc herniations and spinal stenosis in the neck that are causing spinal cord and nerve root compression. Patients experiencing neck and arm symptoms are often told they need a cervical spinal fusion, but a disc replacement offers an alternative that preserves motion. A disc replacement uses an implant that simulates the natural disc, similar to a hip or knee replacement. The implant is made of titanium and plastic, allowing the neck to bend forward, backward, and side to side as it normally would. This procedure can be performed as an outpatient surgery through a small incision in the front of the neck, with patients typically going home within 4 to 6 hours after surgery in a surgery center.