Stamford
Unremitting back pain can make your life miserable. Combined with other symptoms, it could complicate how you go about your daily activities and lower your quality of life. When you have tried non-surgical treatments without success, it could be time for a disc replacement surgery.
If you live in or near Stamford, CT, CT Spine & Orthopedic is the best place to get your disc replacement surgery. Our Stamford disc replacement surgeons specialize in spine surgeries and have experience in these operations. Read on to know the conditions that can necessitate disc replacement surgery and what the operation generally entails.
A disc replacement surgery in Stamford, CT is a procedure conducted to eliminate and replace a worn-out or damaged disc to alleviate back pain. It is considered an alternative to a spinal fusion procedure. Fusion involves the interconnection of two vertebrae.
It is challenging to replicate the shape and function of an organic intervertebral disc. Nonetheless, modern technological advancements have led to the development of a surgical replacement that helps lower back pain. This artificial option is fitted into your spine during the disc replacement surgery.
Your spine, which is the centerpiece of the musculoskeletal system, is a linked column made of small bones known as the vertebrae. The complex structure protects the spinal cord and helps to keep the body upright. Between each of its vertebrae are special spongy cushions known as intervertebral or spinal discs.
The discs act as shock absorbers, facilitating movement by allowing the spine to bend, twist, and flex. Cervical and lumbar discs are the most prominent among them. The cervical disc is found in the neck region, while the lumbar disc is in your lower back. Disc replacement surgery can help if you are experiencing pain or other issues in your spine.
The most common disc issues that could necessitate disc replacement surgery are:
A disc strain occurs like any sprain or strain in other body sections. You can feel pain when any soft tissue in the body is subjected to excessive or sustained load. An inflammation or irritation will most likely occur if the load or force is more than the soft tissue can sustain.
As you grow older, your spinal discs become thin and hard, making friction between the bones highly likely, leading to growths around them. These are known as bone spurs.
While not all people are afflicted by these age-related changes, most individuals experience plenty of back pain. The name given to these changes is degenerative disc disease. Its most common symptom is back pain aggravated by long sitting or physical activity hours.
Disc protrusion happens when a small area weakens, allowing the disc’s jelly to leak into the surrounding structures, such as nerves, leading to pain and disruption of nerve function.
Since disc protrusion mainly occurs in the lower back, it causes lower backache. Other names for this condition include herniation, bulging, or prolapse.
This condition results from the irritation of the sciatic nerve. The pain travels from the spine down to the sole. It is closely linked with altered nerve function and often affects the entire lower limb, seeming like numbness or pins-and-needles. The most typical cause for this is disc herniation.
The main goals of an artificial disc replacement operation include the following:
As with any surgery, the procedure comes with some risks. These include implant failure, wear and loosening, poor positioning, spine rigidity, and dislocation of the artificial disc. There could also be additional risks triggered by inherent medical conditions. You have to discuss all such aspects with your surgeon before the operation and raise your concerns if you have any.
Most people experience moderate to chronic back pain at some point in their lives. This pain can become unbearable over time, and it may cause issues with you going about your daily life. A disc replacement surgery can help to correct the issue and alleviate most of the pain. However, getting an expert surgeon for the job is recommended.
Talk with the talented and award-winning orthopedics at CT Spine & Orthopedic for an honest assessment of your back pain. Our vastly experienced surgeons use state-of-the-art tools to ensure the best possible outcomes. Call (866) 553-0612 today or contact us online to book an appointment.
