Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery

The discs that rest between the vertebra in your neck are fascinating structures that have a lot of responsibilities when it comes to your comfort, mobility, and recovering from jolts and shocks to the head, neck, and spine. Your cervical intervertebral discs take a lot of abuse in your lifetime and sometimes they fail. This can cause acute and chronic neck pain. It can also lead to other symptoms like arm pain and weakness, numbness in the upper back, headaches and a general malaise.

Not all neck pain is the same, different injuries or conditions can cause unique pain symptoms and they can change from day to day. Your neck pain might not require cervical surgery or you might be a prime candidate for artificial cervical disc replacement surgery, it all depends on your diagnosis. That’s why it’s important to schedule a consultation with the Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at Downtown Pain Physicians NYC. The sooner you get a diagnosis for the cause of your neck pain, the faster you can get on the road to recovery.

How Do You Know You Need Cervical Disc Replacement

The best way to determine if you can benefit from a disc replacement is to get a diagnosis from Downtown Pain Physicians, we have the best cervical disc replacement surgeons in the New York City area. Our facility features state-of-the-art diagnostic tools that will help determine what is causing your pain and other symptoms and how best to approach a treatment plan. We begin with the most conservative option possible to give you the best chance for a full recovery.

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s best to seek advice from one of our spine specialists to see what your treatment options are.

• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Neck stiffness
• Pain that radiates from your neck to your shoulders or arms
• Weakness in your shoulders, arms, or hands
• Numbness in your back, shoulders, or arms
• A tingling sensation through neck, shoulders and arms
• Vertigo or a feeling of dizziness
• Clumsiness or balance concerns

What Is Cervical Disc Replacement

Cervical disc replacement involves removing the disc between the vertebrae in your neck and replacing it with an artificial disc. This surgery is also called cervical disc arthroplasty.

The goal of this surgery is twofold, first is the removal of a damaged disc. A herniated disc is already beginning to degenerate and collapse, which means there is less room in your spinal column and between the vertebrae for your nerves to function optimally. This can cause pain, tingling, numbness and other symptoms. By removing the damaged disc, your nerves and spinal column once again have the space they need to function normally.

The second goal of this type of surgery is replacing the disc with an artificial disc so your neck or cervical spine can continue to move fully or maintain its motion without damage to the vertebrae. The discs in your spine have a lot of important roles to fill and when you remove one, you’ll benefit from having a replacement there to fill in for the missing disc.

Are You a Good Candidate Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery

If this sounds like a good solution to you, you’re not alone. This can be a life-changing surgery that lets you get back to the activities and day-to-day functions that are important to you without pain and other symptoms. But it’s not for everyone. You’ll need a professional consultation and examination by one of our skilled spinal specialists to determine if you’re a good candidate, but some of the following indications can play into your decision.

• Professionally confirmed cervical disc disease
• Symptoms caused by degenerated discs or herniation including pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness
• Non-invasive, non-surgical approaches have been tried
• Surgery will be well-tolerated, meaning you’re in good health and able to recover from the surgery
• Surgical team agrees that this is the best approach at this point in time for your cervical condition

What To Expect with Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery

Your surgical team and your doctor in particular will go over all of the details of your surgery with you so you have a complete understanding of how to prep for a cervical disc replacement, what will happen during the surgery and your aftercare and recovery plan. Each person is a little different, so the procedure is adapted for the individual. But generally, you can expect the following to be a part of your cervical disc replacement surgery.

• Thorough pre-surgical preparation which may involve adjusting some medications, preparing for rides to and from the hospital, overnight stays, and a clear liquid diet the day or night before surgery.
• During the surgery you will be anesthetized. Small incisions will be made to allow access to your cervical spine. Your cervical disc will be removed and an artificial one will be put in its place. Your incisions will be closed under the skin and the skin itself will be closed to minimize any scaring. You’ll have dressings applied to the incisions and may have a neck collar to restrict neck motion while you recover.
• After the surgery you will most likely still be on IV fluids until you can drink by mouth and begin eating again. You can expect to spend some in-patient time in the hospital during which time pain medication will be prescribed and closely monitored. You’ll have assistance with moving and dressing changes while you’re taught how to manage these on your own when you’re released.
• Once released from the hospital you’ll ease into a normal diet and normal activities. You may still be required to wear a neck brace and physical therapy will begin soon after surgery.
• Most people are able to return to full activities within four to six weeks after cervical disc replacement surgery if they follow instructions carefully and are diligent about their physical therapy exercises. It’s important that you follow your healthcare teams instructions, so you avoid a failed cervical disc replacement surgery.

Downtown Pain Physicians is here to support and help you throughout this entire process. We’re here from the moment you walk in the door with pain until the day you feel well enough to take us off your speed dial. We are completely dedicated to providing care and pain relief to our patients, no matter what the cause or the solution.

Meet Your Surgeon

Downtown Pain Physicians has a top-rated orthopedic spine surgeon on staff, ready to help you start the recovery process. Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo is an expert in spinal surgery, giving his patients the best care available with a focus on your long-term goals and customizing a treatment program that goes beyond surgery and incorporates after-care so you can get back to enjoying life to the fullest and participating in the activities you love.

Dr. Okubadejo is an outstanding resource for our medical group, bringing a well-rounded education and award-winning ideas to our patients. His approach to surgical options is geared toward creating best case scenarios where pain and recovery time is minimized with exceptional outcomes.

• ★★★★★
  

  “KNOWLEDGEABLE”

  Very knowledgeable. And awesome bed side manner

• ★★★★★
  

  “PROFESSIONAL”

  The doctor was very thorough in explaining what my issues were and what my options for treatment were.

Book Your Appointment Now at Downtown Pain Physicians NYC

If you’re suffering with neck pain, back pain or any spinal injury, it’s time to schedule an appointment and begin healing. There’s no reason to put it off any longer, in fact, the sooner you begin care, the easier it is for your body to recover.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

At Downtown Pain Physicians NYC, we often treat busy professionals. Our Downtown and Lower Manhattan area locations makes it convenient for people who live and work near the Lower East Side, Tribeca, Financial District, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, Soho, Chelsea, East Village, Murray Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg and surrounding areas to stop in for a consultation and appointments.

In our office, you’ll find a welcoming space that puts your comfort first. From the moment you step in the door, our staff will work to accommodate your needs and get you in to see the doctor with little wait time. We’ve invested in the best state-of-the art diagnostic tools available to give you the most accurate care and a targeted treatment plan that works. Having the latest and the best technology from the beginning to the end of your care in our office leads to a faster recovery with less setbacks along the way. We also put a lot of stock in our entire staff, making sure that we have top-rated patient care specialists who are leaders in their field. Your health care is our priority.

Connect with our office today to schedule an appointment and begin the healing process.