Cervical Disc Replacement is offering a newer, motion-preserving alternative.

Dr. Sean Kelly explains Cervical Disc Replacement a minimally invasive spine procedure. Neck pain and radiating arm symptoms can have a profound impact on quality of life. Often, these symptoms are caused by a damaged or herniated disc in the cervical spine — the portion of the spine that runs through your neck. For many years, spinal fusion has been the gold standard treatment for patients who do not improve with conservative measures. But today, cervical disc replacement is offering a newer, motion-preserving alternative — and in many cases, it’s proving to be a better option.

Understanding the Problem

Between each vertebra in your neck is a soft, cushion-like disc that helps absorb shock and maintain flexibility. Over time, due to aging, injury, or genetics, these discs can wear out or herniate. When that happens, they can compress nearby nerves or even the spinal cord, leading to:

• Neck pain
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
• Weakness in the upper extremities
• Limited range of motion

When symptoms persist despite rest, physical therapy, medications, or injections, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Traditional Treatment: Spinal Fusion

Cervical spinal fusion involves removing the damaged disc and fusing the adjacent vertebrae together using a bone graft and hardware. While this approach effectively stabilizes the spine and relieves nerve compression, it also eliminates motion at the operated level.

Over time, this loss of motion can increase stress on the adjacent discs, sometimes leading to further degeneration — a condition known as adjacent segment disease.

Cervical Disc Replacement: A Motion-Preserving Solution

Cervical disc replacement (also called total disc arthroplasty) involves removing the diseased disc and replacing it with an artificial disc implant that mimics the natural motion of a healthy disc.

Benefits of Cervical Disc Replacement:

• Preserves natural neck motion
• Reduces risk of adjacent segment degeneration
• Shorter recovery times in many cases
• No need for bone grafts or fusion hardware
• Comparable or superior long-term outcomes in appropriately selected patients

Numerous clinical studies have shown that disc replacement can provide similar — or even superior — results to fusion, particularly in single-level disc disease cases.

Is Disc Replacement Right for You?

Not every patient is a candidate for cervical disc replacement. Ideal candidates typically:

• Have a single-level or two-level disc herniation or degeneration
• Are relatively healthy and nonsmokers
• Do not have severe arthritis or spinal instability
• Have failed to improve with conservative treatment

At Joseph Spine Institute, we use advanced diagnostic tools and imaging to determine the best surgical or nonsurgical path for each individual patient.

Expert Care, Personalized for You

As a spine surgeon, the goal is always to preserve motion when it’s safe and effective to do so. Cervical disc replacement offers a promising path forward for many patients who would otherwise face a lifetime of restricted movement after a fusion.

If you’re dealing with chronic neck pain or symptoms radiating into your arms, don’t wait. Let’s talk about your options — and whether disc replacement might be right for you.