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The neck is also known as the cervical spine and it comprises of vertebral bodies which are basically the bone blocks we see in spinal figures. The neck also has what we know as intervertebral discs and this are combined universal joints with shock absorbers which are found in between vertebrae. As these discs wear out, they compress and herniate into the spinal canal causing pressure to the spinal cord and the nerves as well. Though this condition which is known as degenerative disc disease is not one that could ideally require surgery, sometimes a cervical artificial disc replacement is necessary. Cervical artificial disc replacement is not the first treatment option and usually a doctor will have taken the patient through non-surgical treatment options before resorting to this procedure. The procedure is often done instead of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion because it tends to have more advantages over the procedure. Some of these advantages include: It eliminates the need for bone grafting It encouraged early neck motion after operation and generally maintains normal motion It reduces degeneration of the adjacent cervical spine segments As you can see, this procedure has less adverse results that it’s alternative to the cervical discectomy and fusion. Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement Risks Having identified the situations that could necessitate this surgery and its advantages, it is also important to highlight some of the risks that come with it. If you live in Tulsa Oklahoma, you must already know that no surgery is without its complications. The risks that are commonly associated with surgery vary with the most common including allergic reactions, blood clots, anesthesia complications and other adverse reactions that come about from undiagnosed conditions. That said, artificial cervical disc replacement has its own set of risks and these are: You could get an allergic reaction from the implant The implant could bend, move, loosen or even break Systemic infections may arise from the wounds Speech impairment or change of speech could occur Tissue swelling and a tear on the dura which is the spinal cord protective membrane is possible Spinal or nerve injury These are just some of the many risks that come with this surgery and your doctor will explain the risk in greater depth to you. That said, there have been more positive than negative outcomes when it comes to this procedure. Doctors will generally have to determine whether cervical artificial disc replacement surgery is right for you by conducting a myriad of tests and bone scans. Living with an artificial disc is not as difficult as you may imagine and in fact chances are high that you actually forget that the metal plate exists.
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