Many patients have questions about the prosthetic implants used for cervical and lumbar disc replacement surgery. At Instituto Clavel, we are specialists in arthroplasty or disc replacement surgery (ADR), and we are happy to answer those questions here.
The intervertebral discs are fibrocartilage cushions that lie between each pair of vertebrae, from C2-C3 to the sacrum.
Each disc contains a soft, inner part called the nucleus pulposus, which constitutes about 40% of the disc. Surrounding the nucleus pulposus, is the annulus fibrosus, a ring made up of layers of collagen and proteins.
The discs enable the mobility of the spine and act as a shock absorbing system for the impacts that it bears. In terms of biomechanics, they have complex dynamic properties that vary throughout the life of the disc and change with aging.
When facing any type of surgery, patients have questions and concerns, so the experts at Instituto Clavel would like to offer you answers to the questions we are most frequently asked about disc prostheses.
What is an intervertebral disc implant?
An intervertebral disc implant is an artificial disc designed to replace a damaged natural disc to allow the functions of mobility of the spine. This replacement is performed through arthroplasty or disc replacement surgery.
The disc prostheses that are used today are made of materials that are highly resistant to wear and have a biomechanical behavior very similar to that of a natural disc, in order to allow movement in the most natural way possible. There is no question that these prostheses represent great progress in reducing pain and making a better quality of life possible for patients who suffer from degenerative disc disease.
In the following paragraphs, we answer some of the questions about artificial disc implants that our patients most frequently ask.
What are the different kinds of implants available?
There is a wide variety of cervical and lumbar disc prostheses on the market. Since the end of the 90s, various models have been launched and, as we mentioned earlier, over time, their quality has increased exponentially.
The first thing to bear in mind is that the various models of implants differ from each other by the materials they are made of, their mechanical design, the angles of movement they provide and the way they anchor to the vertebra.
Regarding the materials, some artificial disc implants are made entirely of metal, others are polyethylene in combination with metal (usually titanium alloy or cobalt-chromium), and some are metal in combination with polyurethane. The last of these is the most sophisticated and effective type, because polyurethane behaves like the natural disc core and has the ability to absorb mechanical impacts to the spine.
With regard to mechanical design, the most common is a ball and socket design, or the inverted ball joint.
Which type of implant does the Instituto Clavel use?
At Instituto Clavel, we mainly use M6 and ESP disc prostheses, both cervical and lumbar models. Both the M6 and ESP are made of third-generation elastomeric material, that is, their core is made of polyurethane, the material that best mimics the movement of a healthy natural disc.
However, we evaluate each patient’s case individually, so the type of artificial disc we choose in each case will depend on the anatomy of the specific patient and the mechanical needs of their spine. To help evaluate the unique anatomy of a patient’s spine, we take a full-body scan of the patient in a standing position using the EOSedge scanner.
What pathologies are artificial discs used for?
Artificial disc implants are indicated in cases of degenerative pathologies of the cervical spine or lumbar spine, specifically cervical disc herniation, lumbar disc herniation, and neck pain or low back pain due to degenerative disc disease.
This does not mean that artificial disc replacement is necessary in every case of these degenerative disc pathologies, but it is an effective alternative treatment option for those cases in which conservative treatments such as pain relief medication, changes in postural habits and physical therapy have not been successful.
How is artificial disc replacement (ADR) surgery performed?
Arthroplasty, better known as disc replacement surgery (ADR), consists of replacing a damaged disc that is malfunctioning and causes pain, with an artificial disc that provides the cushioning and movement functions of a healthy natural disc.
Unlike arthrodesis or spinal fusion surgery, this type of surgery is much less invasive and it eliminates the degenerated elements that cause lumbar or cervical pain: the nucleus pulposus (soft core) of the disc, the fibrous ring, the synovertebral nerve endings and the endplate.
Thanks to the artificial disc, the patient recovers improved mobility, leading to a better quality of life. In addition, because the vertebrae are not immobilized, the risk of degeneration of the adjacent discs is lower than in fusion surgery.
It is important to note that, at Instituto Clavel, are committed to using minimally invasive surgical techniques, and whenever possible, we perform arthroplasty using an anterior approach to the spine, through the abdomen. This surgical technique avoids opening the back muscles and manipulating the nerves, resulting in a much lower risk of nerve injury, and faster recovery for the patient.
Questions and answers about ADR
The medical team at Instituto Clavel hopes that this article has answered your questions about artificial disc implants. However, if you would like more information or medical advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we may help you personally.
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Categories: Spine treatments, Surgery, Innovation