Disc Replacement Surgery

Disc replacement surgery restores healthy and pain-free neck movement using a state-of-the-art artificial disc system. At Sierra Spine Institute, leading board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeon Tyler Smith, MD, and the team of experts offer disc replacement surgery to patients with persistent neck pain and stiffness. To learn how this outpatient procedure can help you get back to living your life as quickly as possible, call the Roseville, California, office or click online booking now. 

What is disc replacement?

Your discs are like small gel-filled cushions between your vertebrae. They help your spine move flexibly and serve as shock absorbers when you’re walking or exercising. 

Unfortunately, discs commonly wear down over the years, often leading to pain as the vertebrae above and below the disc rub together. 

Discs can also bulge (push out of their normal position) or herniate, in which the disc cracks and leaks gel into the spinal canal to pressure nerves or the spinal cord.

Disc replacement surgery removes a damaged or worn intervertebral disc and replaces it with an artificial disc. Sierra Spine Institute uses the state-of-the-art Mobi-C® Cervical Disc Prosthesis to replace discs in the neck area.  

Disc replacement surgery resolves pain and restores normal spine flexibility at the same time. 

Am I a candidate for disc replacement?

The team evaluates every patient individually, but some general requirements for this type of surgery include:

• Healthy body weight
• Healthy spine bones (no osteoporosis)
• Pain stemming from damaged or worn discs
• Pain or other symptoms (like numbness) occur in only one or two discs
• No facet joint disease
• No bony compression of spinal nerves
• No spinal disorders like scoliosis

Your treatment history also plays a role: disc replacement is generally only right for people who have tried nonsurgical approaches already, and it’s usually recommended for patients who haven’t had major spine surgery previously. 

What is the disc replacement process?

The Sierra Spine Institute team uses a minimally invasive spine surgery technique in which they create a small incision in the front (anterior) of the neck to access the disc. This approach avoids disrupting the neck muscles and nearby spinal nerves.

After removing the disc, the team smooths bone spurs away and positions the artificial disc system. The Mobi-C system has three parts: two metal plates with “teeth” on them and a replacement disc between them. 

The teeth secure the plates to the vertebrae above and below the new disc. The disc itself is a polyethylene insert with a mobile core that can slide and rotate within the disc to adapt to your movements. 

After placing the system, the team closes the incision and places a dressing over it. Usually, you’ll return home that same day.

Interested in disc replacement? Call Sierra Spine Institute or click the online scheduling link now.