Who Is A Right Candidate For Disc Replacement?

A disc is a shock-absorbing material between the vertebrae of the spine. Disc replacement surgery also called "cervical spine surgery" or "lumbago" is a treatment for back pain and other symptoms caused by herniated discs in the neck.

It is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a diseased or damaged disc with an artificial one. The artificial disc looks and feels natural, which helps it move more easily within the spine. The spine can be divided into four sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. The discs in the cervical spine are different from those in the other sections.

A general rule of thumb for deciding who can benefit from this type of surgery is whether you have persistent low back pain despite conservative measures such as physical therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or if your pain has been increasing in frequency or severity over time, then you need to get it.

In this article, we will help you to learn about certain things about the surgery and the parameters that will help you decide whether you are the right candidate for it or not.

Symptoms of Lumbar Disc Disease?

The symptoms of lumbar disc disease can include:

• Pain in the legs

• Loss of balance

• Numbness in the leg

• Trouble walking

Generally, lumbar disc disease is a condition of the spine caused by a tear or ruptures in one or more of the discs of cartilage that separate the bones. When this happens, the spinal column is no longer properly supported and can put pressure on nearby nerve roots. This can lead to pain and numbness in the legs and lower back, as well as weakness in your leg muscles.

How Does Disc Replacement Surgery Work?

The goal of a surgeon performing disc replacement surgery is to relieve the pressure on the nerve roots, alleviate pain, and restore a limited range of motion. The process involves removing the affected disc and replacing it with an artificial spine.

A patient undergoing disc replacement surgery will receive general anesthesia. Once they are asleep, doctors make an incision in the back of the neck or in between the shoulder blades, depending on the position of the damaged disc. After that, an opening will be created into which a metal plate will be inserted to stabilize the spine before removing any damaged discs.

When doctors are done with doing the same, they put the stitches on the cut and keep the patient under observation. This observation period helps them to know the condition of the patient and the further steps they need to take for a better recovery period.

Types of Disc Replacement Procedures?

Different types of disc replacement procedures are there and are put in different categories. Some are minimally invasive and others into open surgeries. A minimally invasive procedure is in consideration with a small incision and special tools. A surgeon may go through the front of the abdomen to operate on the back or go through the back to operate on the front.

During open surgery, a surgeon creates an incision to remove a diseased disc and make space for an artificial one. It is also a treatment for spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, osteoarthritis, and more.

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Who is the Right Candidate for Disc Replacement?

A few things that determine the right candidate for this surgery are height, weight, and age. Most people who try disc replacement surgery will experience relief from their chronic back pain and be able to return to an active and normal lifestyle.

Doctors will analyze the condition and then suggest whether you are a suitable candidate for surgery or not. If you reach old age, then doctors may not recommend you go for surgery.

What are the benefits of disc replacement?

Disc replacement benefits are numerous. One of them is the fact that there is no need for chronic pain medications. Patients can go back to their regular lives without restrictions and enjoy their favorite sports like they used to.

It also provides a cure for nerve pain, which can be caused by pressure on the nerves in the back. This is because discs provide protection for the nerves in your spine, and it becomes more difficult to get rid of this type of pain once you lose your disc cushioning.

Here we have shared all the details of considering disc replacement surgery. It is important for a person to get in touch with the best doctor in town. If you are looking for the best doctor, contact Dr. Himanshu Gupta. He is the best doctor, having years of experience in performing the surgery.

When you approach him for disc replacement surgery in Jaipur, he will help you to know about all the things so that there will be no problems at all.

FAQ:

Q.1 - What is the success rate of disc replacement surgery?

Answer - According to the research, the success rate of disc replacement surgery is 87.5%. A person will likely return to work after a complete recovery. The recovery period lasts for almost three to five weeks, and after it, they can slowly resume their activities.

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Q.2 - How long is the recovery for disc replacement surgery?

Answer - The recovery period for disc replacement surgery is 3–5 weeks. But it is also important to understand that the recovery duration varies from patient to patient. Some patients will be able to resume their entire activities within two weeks, whereas some people may take up to three months. If you are facing any trouble, do not forget to approach the doctor, because ignoring the conditions can be troublesome lately.

Q.3 - When should you have disc surgery?

Answer - When the medications are not helping you out and the symptoms have been lasting for at least 6 weeks and engaging in normal activities is difficult, the doctor will suggest you go for surgery. After surgery, do follow the recovery tips so that engaging in activities will be easy for you. Some other conditions that indicate there is a need to approach the doctor for herniated disc surgery are also present.

Q.4 - How much does disc replacement surgery cost in India?

Answer - In India, the cost of disc replacement surgery ranges between 5.5 and 8.5 lakhs. Some other factors also have an impact on cost. This includes the length of stay at the hospital and the experience the doctor holds. The doctor you are approaching will help you to know about the entire cost in detail. This will help you to decide whether you are ready to get it or not.

Q.5 - Is spine surgery a major surgery?

Answer - The spine is the largest part of the body, but that doesn't necessarily mean that spinal surgery will be the major surgery. Some experienced surgeons do not make very large cuts to perform the surgery. Thus, there are some other factors that decide whether spine surgery is a major surgery or not. For example, if you are going for spinal fusion surgery, the process will last for several hours, and the recovery period is longer as well.

Q.6 - How long does a person need to be in the hospital after having spinal surgery?

Answer - After spinal surgery, the hospital stay will last for almost 3 to 5 days. The rest depends on the doctor and your condition. After surgery, doctors will keep you under observation for almost 24 hours. This is for them to check whether you are doing well or not. After that, they will decide how to move forward with the procedure.