Surgical Procedures
Artificial disc replacement in the neck is a very similar operation to an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The disc replacement allows some movement to occur and it decreases the frequency at which the disc above might wear out. It does not, however, reduce the incidents of wearing out to zero. The sole reason for doing a disc replacement is to decrease wear and tear to the level above but this is not always the case.
Dr Moloney needs to open up the front of the neck and remove the disc material in the disc space at the affected level. An artificial disc is then inserted into the vertebral space to restore disc height.
Following any major surgery it is important to follow the instructions given to you afterwards to get the best possible result. For more information see our After Surgery page.