Artificial Cervical Disc

Neck pain, numbness, or tingling in your arms can make even simple movements a challenge. Often, these symptoms come from a damaged disc in the cervical spine, the part of your neck that supports your head and protects your spinal cord. When a disc wears out or herniates, it can press on nearby nerves and cause daily discomfort. For many patients, an artificial cervical disc offers a solution. This implant replaces the worn disc, relieves pressure on nerves, and helps preserve natural neck movement.

What Is an Artificial Cervical Disc?

An artificial cervical disc is a medical implant that replaces a damaged disc in your neck. It’s designed to relieve pressure on the nerves while preserving as much natural neck movement as possible. In the right patients, this procedure, called cervical disc replacement, can be an alternative to spinal fusion.

The disc is made of medical-grade metals. It’s sometimes combined with a plastic component that takes the place of your natural disc. Unlike spinal fusion, which joins two vertebrae so they no longer move, the artificial disc is designed to maintain motion at that part of the spine. It restores normal disc height and removes pressure on the nerves. This relieves pain and allows you to keep a more natural range of neck movement.

When Is Disc Replacement Considered?

Your doctor may suggest disc replacement if other treatments fail. If pain or nerve symptoms stop you from doing activities, this could be an option. Replacement may be considered if:

You have cervical disc disease, causing arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness
Imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans, show a damaged disc pressing on a nerve or the spinal cord
Medications, physical therapy, and injections haven’t provided lasting relief
The problem affects only one or two levels of the cervical spine, and the rest of your neck is healthy

How Is the Surgery Performed?

Artificial cervical disc replacement is done under general anesthesia. Surgeons typically use a front-of-the-neck approach. To perform the surgery, your doctor will:

Make a small incision in the front of the neck
Gently move muscles, blood vessels, and other tissues aside to reach the spine
Remove the damaged disc and any bone spurs pressing on the nerves
Insert and secure the artificial disc between the vertebrae
Close the incision

Each implant has thin metal endplates that rest against the vertebrae above and below. The surfaces often have tiny teeth or a textured coating that grips the bone right away. Over the next several weeks, your bone grows onto or into the coating, creating long-term stability. The new disc isn’t just sitting between the bones; it’s secured to them.

You will have activity restrictions at first to help protect this process while the disc bonds to the bone, including:

No heavy lifting
Engaging in careful neck movements

Most surgeries take about one to two hours for each disc replaced, so your time in the operating room is relatively short.

What Are the Benefits of Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement?

Artificial cervical disc replacement offers several potential benefits:

It allows for movement in the treated part of your neck
It offers less strain on the discs above and below compared to fusion surgery
Relieves pressure on pinched nerves to ease arm pain, numbness, and weakness

Many people notice a significant improvement in pain and function. People who are good candidates for the procedure are often able to get back to their normal activities. Disc replacement may also help lower the chance of future wear-and-tear problems in nearby areas of the spine.

If you’re struggling with neck pain, ask about artificial cervical disc replacement. Schedule an appointment with one of our Atlanta spine surgeons today!