Cervical Disc Replacement

Cervical disc replacement is one of the most significant advances in spine surgery in my 19-year career as a spine surgeon.

Instead of welding the bones together with a fusion, we can place this implant, which allows motion. This decreases the stress on the other levels, which lessens the need for another surgery down the road. I tell my patients that at six weeks, they have zero restrictions, because now they have motion in their neck.

One of my best friends, Dr. Chad Prusmack, performed a cervical disc replacement on NHL player Jack Eichel. The next year, his team won the Stanley Cup.

This procedure is indicated for one- or two-level pathology, such as cervical radiculopathy, which is pain, numbness, tingling or weakness traveling down one or both arms. It most commonly occurs at C5-6, and second most commonly at C6-7. Yes, I just did that.

I tell my patients that if they have a spine problem that needs surgery, this is probably the best surgery to have, because once it’s done, they can pretend it never happened.

If you have cervical radiculopathy, you may be a candidate for cervical disc replacement. In my practice, basically any patient under age 65 will get a cervical disc replacement, and even some patients over 65. So if you have this condition and need this procedure, you’ll find that spine surgery works.