A damaged, herniated, or degenerated disc can lead to immense pain and discomfort. It can also damage the surrounding nerve roots and endanger the spinal cord, increasing the risk of various long-term complications. Dr. Behnam Salari performs a minimally invasive cervical or lumbar disc replacement surgery in Morristown to restore mobility while minimizing downtime or a recovery period. He only resorts to surgical options if non-surgical solutions fail to provide the desired results.
What is Disc Replacement Surgery?
Disc replacement surgery is a surgical procedure used to replace damaged, herniated, or worn down intervertebral discs from the cervical or lumbar spine. This procedure is meant for patients with degenerative disc disease or herniated cervical or lumbar discs, especially if non-surgical options haven’t worked. This is a suitable alternative to spinal fusion surgery and discectomy. It doesn’t simply remove the damaged discs but also replaces them and restores optimal spinal mobility.
The Importance of Cervical or Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery
The spinal column’s primary goal is protecting the spinal cord, which runs through the column and branches out into several parts of the body via smaller nerve roots. The spinal cord and nerve roots provide mobility and sensations to the entire body. The spinal column consists of 33 vertebrae, each separated by cushion-like discs, also known as intervertebral discs. These discs have a hard outer shell and a soft, jelly-like center.
As you grow older, the intervertebral discs lose their moisture, flexibility, and size. They become smaller, constricting the space available for nerve roots to exit the spinal column unobstructed. Continued wear-and-tear of the discs can also lead to bone spurs that pinch the nerve roots. When the disc is ruptured, the inner nucleus leaks outwards to compress the surrounding nerve roots, thereby triggering pain signals that shoot throughout the body.
Cervical nerve compression leads to pain signals on the neck, back of the head, shoulders, arms, and hands; lumbar nerve compression leads to pain signals on the lower back, hips, buttocks, and the back of the legs. Cervical and lumbar disc replacement surgery in Morristown involves the removal and subsequent replacement of the damaged, herniated, or degenerated discs with artificial discs. This procedure alleviates pain and restores mobility in your neck and back.
Benefits of Disc Replacement Surgery
- Alleviate the symptoms of cervical or lumbar nerve compression
- Alleviate pain and discomfort from the neck, shoulders, arms, buttocks, back, or legs
- Improved range of motion in the neck and lower back
- Minimal healing time and recovery period
- Last resort treatment after all non-surgical options are exhausted
Your Cervical/ Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery
Dr. Ben Salari will curate a personalized cervical or lumbar disc replacement plan based on your unique goals and conditions. Cervical disc replacement is meant for patients with cervical disc degeneration or herniation, and lumbar disc replacement is meant for patients with lumbar disc degeneration or herniation. After curating a personalized treatment plan, Dr. Salari will provide a comprehensive overview of your surgery, so you’ll know what to expect.
During the procedure, Dr. Salari will make a small incision in the front of the neck or the lower back. The spine surgeon will carefully remove the muscles and tissues to access the underlying damaged disc. The damaged intervertebral disc will be removed completely, following which an artificial disc will be inserted, sutured, and secured. Dr. Salari only uses minimally invasive techniques for your disc replacement surgery in Morristown that allow you to return home within a day of the surgery.
Recovering from Disc Replacement Surgery
Dr. Salari will provide a comprehensive set of aftercare guidelines to ensure a smooth recovery. Depending on the type of surgery, you may experience immediate relief from neck pain, arm pain, shoulder pain, leg pain, or lower back pain. You may have some activity limitations for a few days, but you can resume most of your daily activities within a week of the surgery. Dr. Salari will accompany you through every stage of your recovery.
Contact Dr. Salari for Disc Replacement Surgery
Dr. Behnam (Ben) Salari is the leading board-certified spine surgeon in New Jersey specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. He takes a personalized approach to spine surgery by curating treatment plans that address your unique goals and concerns. He exhausts all non-surgical options, such as lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and medications, before resorting to spine surgery. However, when spine surgery is necessary, he uses minimally invasive techniques to ensure optimal results with minimal downtime.
For more information about cervical or lumbar disc replacement surgery in Morristown, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Salari at our offices in Morristown, Hackettstown, Sparta, or Randolph in New Jersey.
