A spinal fusion has been the traditional treatment for a herniated disc but Sanjay Jatana, MD, a fellowship-trained cervical spine specialist at a Denver-based spine center within Spine Center Network, says that may no longer be the case.
Dr. Jatana outlines that the latest research from the North American Spine Society shows that artificial disc replacement can reduce the risk of herniations at other levels in the neck.
In a spinal fusion the two vertebrae are locked together, but that fusion puts extra stress on the discs above and below which can result in a second herniated disc caused by the first fusion. With an artificial disc, the rotation of the neck is preserved which reduces the risk to other disc levels.
Artificial disc surgery has grown rapidly with new implants, and the FDA has approved several artificial discs for use at two levels in the neck, according to Craig Humphreys, MD, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon at Kenai Spine in Soldotna, Alaska, also part of Spine Center Network.
With lumbar artificial disc surgery, Dr. Humphreys emphasized the need to "be very selective as to which discs qualify" to avoid complications that would lead to revision surgery.
Despite the complexities of lumbar artificial disc replacement which requires the surgeon to go through the abdomen and navigate internal organs, Dr. Humphreys believes that the artificial disc is a great option that preserves the natural motion of the back and neck and reduces the risk of a future herniation.
Dr. Jatana and Dr. Humphreys are both diplomates of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
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