The spine has a relatively soft disc between each set of two adjacent vertebrae, and these discs serve to provide your back with flexibility while also preventing the vertebrae bones from rubbing against each other. Over time or due to injury, a disc can develop reduced integrity – and this can reduce or eliminate the disc’s effectiveness.
Whether your back pain is due to a back injury, a herniated disc, or age-related degradation of the disc (usually due to natural loss of liquid and dryness), your back doctor may recommend that you have an artificial disc implanted in place of your problematic disc. Let’s talk about what is involved in getting artificial discs, and where you can go in Colorado Springs, Denver, and throughout Central Colorado for world-class spine treatment and minimally invasive back surgery.
What Are Artificial Discs?
Artificial discs are made of medical-grade prosthetic materials used to replace your affected spinal discs. Once put in place, the disc should help give you back your movement and flexibility, and it should greatly reduce or eliminate your back pain.
Is This Major Back Surgery?
Although back surgery has a reputation of being potentially debilitating, modern medical techniques in spine surgery have enabled the process of inserting an artificial disc in place of a damaged disc to now be minimally invasive in many instances. This means it can be outpatient surgery, so you might be able go home later the same day.
Why Do You Need an Artificial Disc?
Most patients who need an artificial disc replacement are adults, athletes, and those who have suffered a traumatic spine injury.
Artificial discs are put in place by spine doctors to replace a damaged disc or herniated disc in your spine. They are used to relieve pressure and to eliminate back pain, swelling, and immobility.
What Are the Benefits?
The benefits of artificial disc replacement surgeries include the following:
- Reduces or eliminates back pain
- Regains mobility and flexibility in the back
- Enables a faster recovery than with spinal fusion
- Prevents degeneration of other discs above or below, thanks to alleviating pressure on them
What Are the Risks?
Like any other surgery involving prosthetics, the potential risks of this surgery are as follows:
- The implant may break or fail
- The implant may loosen or become worn down over the years
- Infection of the surrounding area of the disc
- Dislocation of the disc implant
- Blood clots (especially in the legs) because of decreased activity during recovery
Neurosurgery Clinics in Central Colorado
Back pain caused by a herniated disc can disrupt your everyday life. If you’re experiencing severe, persistent, or recurring back pain, your spine doctor may recommend getting an artificial disc replacement depending on your condition.
If you’re looking for a neurosurgery clinic with experienced spine surgeons, then look no further than Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery. We provide patients with the highest-quality healthcare for neurological, spinal, and orthopedic concerns. Our team of board-certified back doctors and orthopedists will go above and beyond to give you appropriate and effective treatment.
If you wish to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, you can reach us at (303) 790-1800. You can also request an appointment by using our appointment request form online. Let us help you live a pain-free life!
