Cervical Artificial Disk....is it right for you?

Cervical arthroplasty, also known as cervical disc replacement, is a surgical procedure designed to relieve symptoms caused by degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine. The best candidates for cervical arthroplasty typically meet the following criteria:

1. Degenerative Disc Disease: Patients who have symptomatic cervical disc degeneration, often causing neck pain, radiculopathy (pain radiating into the arms), or myelopathy (spinal cord dysfunction) due to disc herniation or severe disc degeneration.

2. Failure of Conservative Treatments: Candidates usually have not experienced sufficient relief from conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or epidural steroid injections.

3. Single-Level or Two-Level Disease: Cervical arthroplasty is most commonly performed at one or two levels of the cervical spine. Patients with disease affecting multiple levels or complex spinal deformities may not be ideal candidates.

4. Absence of Significant Spinal Instability: Patients with significant spinal instability or severe deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis, are generally not good candidates for cervical arthroplasty. These conditions may require alternative surgical approaches, such as spinal fusion.

5. No Significant Spinal Cord Compression: Candidates should have a disc herniation or degeneration that causes symptoms but does not result in severe spinal cord compression. If there is significant spinal cord involvement or myelopathy, other surgical options may be considered.

6. Good Overall Health: Candidates should be in good general health and have realistic expectations about the outcomes of the surgery. They should also be able to comply with post-operative rehabilitation and follow-up.

7. Adequate Bone Quality: Good bone quality and health are important for the success of the implant and the recovery process. Patients with osteoporosis or other bone disorders might need additional evaluation.

8. No Significant Comorbidities: Conditions such as severe obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, or other systemic diseases that could impact healing or surgical outcomes may make cervical arthroplasty less suitable.

It's essential for patients to undergo a thorough evaluation by a spine specialist to determine whether cervical arthroplasty is appropriate for their specific condition and overall health.