Advanced Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement
Preserving Motion While Relieving Neck Pain
Anterior cervical disc replacement removes a damaged disc from the neck and replaces it with an artificial disc designed to preserve natural movement between the vertebrae, rather than fusing them together. It's often considered for a herniated or bulging disc or degenerative disc disease in the neck.
At HighRise Orthopedic and Spine Care, Dr. John Shiau and Dr. John Morrison evaluate whether disc replacement or fusion is the better fit for your specific neck anatomy and condition.
If neck pain is limiting your movement or affecting your daily life, request a consultation with HighRise Orthopedic and Spine Care today.
What to Expect from Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery
Understanding the Procedure and Recovery
When Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement Is Recommended
This procedure is typically considered when:
- A herniated or bulging disc in the neck is pressing on a nerve
- Degenerative disc disease is causing ongoing neck pain or nerve symptoms
- Conservative treatment hasn't relieved persistent symptoms
- Preserving natural neck motion is a priority for the patient
How the Procedure Works
The surgeon accesses the spine through a small incision at the front of the neck, removes the damaged disc, and inserts an artificial disc designed to move similarly to the natural one it replaces. This differs from fusion surgery, which joins the vertebrae together instead of preserving motion between them.
What Recovery Looks Like
Recovery from artificial disc replacement surgery generally follows this pattern:
- Right After Surgery: Many patients go home the same day or after a short hospital stay.
- First Few Weeks: Activity is gradually increased, often with guidance on avoiding heavy lifting.
- Longer Term: Most patients return to normal activity within a few months, without the extended fusion timeline required by other neck procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is disc replacement different from spinal fusion?
Disc replacement preserves motion between the treated vertebrae using an artificial disc, while fusion permanently joins the vertebrae together, eliminating movement at that level. Preserving motion can reduce stress on neighboring levels of the spine over time, which is one reason some patients are good candidates for replacement over fusion.
Am I a candidate for anterior cervical disc replacement?
Candidacy depends on factors like the specific disc affected, the condition of surrounding bone and joints, and overall neck alignment. A cervical spine surgeon will review your imaging carefully, since not everyone with neck pain is a good fit for disc replacement; some cases are better suited to fusion instead.
How can I find anterior cervical disc replacement near me?
If you've already been diagnosed with a cervical disc problem and other treatment hasn't provided relief, finding the right cervical spine specialist near you starts with a consultation. Our team reviews your imaging and prior treatment history to confirm whether disc replacement is the right surgical path for your specific case.
Will transportation be provided on the day of my surgery?
Yes. The surgical center provides transportation to and from the center on the day of your anterior cervical disc replacement, so you don't have to worry about driving or finding parking. New York and New Jersey both require a companion to accompany you on the day of surgery, and this service helps take care of that requirement too, which is often a relief for patients who don't have someone available to drive them.
Why should I choose HighRise Orthopedic and Spine Care for cervical spine care?
Finding the right spine specialist means finding a team with experience across both fusion and motion-preserving techniques. Dr. Shiau and Dr. Morrison bring that range of expertise to every patient, tailoring the approach to your specific neck anatomy rather than a single default procedure.
Serving patients across New York and New Jersey, our team is ready to help you find lasting relief from neck pain.