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Back Surgery Procedures - Cervical Disc Replacement, Disc Fusion, Spinal Decompression & Spinal Fusion
The Spine
The spine consists of multiple vertebrae stacked upon one another, each one separated by a cartilage disc (intervertebral disc). There are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord runs within the spine and nerves pass through each level of the vertebrae.
As we age, the intervertebral discs of the spine may thin or bulge out. Disc compression or disc herniation can cause pressure on nerves, resulting in pain, weakness, or numbness. To help with pain relief and improve function, there are several surgical treatment options available at Ortho Westmount.
Cervical disc replacement surgery
Cervical myelopathy is a condition where degenerative or bulging discs cause compression on the spinal cord, leading to neck pain, arm weakness, difficulty walking, and difficulty with fine motor skills.
Narrowing of the space between the neck vertebrae, which are called cervical vertebrae, may also cause pain.
Your surgeon may recommend cervical disk replacement surgery to treat symptoms stemming from a herniated disc or compressed disc. Artificial disk replacement procedures are done under general anesthesia, using an incision on the front of the neck to visualize the front of the cervical spine. The affected disc is removed and replaced with a prosthesis.As with any surgery, there are risks, including infection, nerve damage, or potential for the prosthesis to shift over time. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you prior to surgery.
The surgery takes approximately 2 hours.
What is the recovery time from cervical disc replacement surgery?
The recovery timeline may vary depending on individual factors such as age, overall health, and pre-surgery activity levels.
At the start of your recovery process, for the first two weeks after surgery, you should avoid any strenuous activity or lifting any objects heavier than 5 pounds. After 4-6 weeks, you may begin mild to moderate physical activity.
Anterior cervical disc fusion
Cervical myelopathy is a condition where degenerative or bulging cervical disks cause nerve compression, leading to neck pain, arm weakness, difficulty walking, and difficulty with fine motor skills.
Anterior cervical decompression and fusion is a treatment for cervical myelopathy. Your surgeon will perform an incision on the front of your neck to view the front of the spine. The damaged cervical disk(s) is/are removed and replaced with bone graft to fuse the affected joints. The bone graft may be taken from your own body (autograft) or from a donor (allograft), and in some cases, a synthetic graft may be used. After, your surgeon inserts a plate that is then fixed with screws on the front of the spine.
Symptoms often improve in the first few weeks after surgery, but a full recovery will take several months.
Range of motion may be diminished as a result of the surgery, but research has shown that the vast majority of patients have improvements in pain and function as a result of this surgery. This procedure also carries a small risk of non-union (when the bones do not fuse properly), which may require further surgery.
The surgery takes approximately 2 hours.
What is the recovery time from anterior cervical disc fusion surgery?
For the first two weeks after surgery, you should avoid any strenuous activity or lifting any objects heavier than 5 pounds. After 4-6 weeks, you may begin mild to moderate physical activity. Depending on the number of levels fused, it may take several months to fully recover, and full fusion may take longer.
Single level spinal decompression
The spinal cord runs within a bony canal in the spinal column. It is bordered by the vertebral bodies and discs in the front and the lamina in the back. With age, intervertebral discs or bone spurs may pinch the spinal cord or the nerves exiting the spinal column leading to pain and weakness.
A spinal decompression can be performed by removing the lamina to make space for the spinal cord and nerves.
Your surgeon may perform a discectomy if the cause of your symptoms is a bulging disc (disc herniation). The herniated disc is removed, relieving pressure on the nerves.
How long does single level spinal decompression take?
Approximately 2 hours.
Spinal fusion
Aging and overuse may lead to degeneration of the spine with narrowed disk space(s), abnormal motion between vertebrae, and impingement of the nerves.
Spinal fusion is a procedure to permanently fuse two or more adjacent vertebrae to alleviate pain, correct a deformity, or stabilize the spine.
Spinal fusions are commonly performed in the cervical spine and the lumbar spine because these levels are the most mobile and most prone to injury and wear.
It is performed by creating an incision in the center of the back, over the affected levels of the spine. The damaged disc(s) is/are removed and bone graft is placed in the disc space to fuse the vertebrae. Screws are then inserted into the vertebrae and connected by rods to stabilize and realign the spine. As with any surgery, there are risks including infection, bleeding, or damage to the surrounding nerves or spinal cord.
How long does spinal fusion surgery take?
The duration of surgery depends on the number of levels fused.
What is the recovery time from a spinal fusion?
You should avoid any strenuous activity for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. It may take several months for the vertebrae to fuse completely. Complications, such as infection, non-union (failure of the bones to fuse), and adjacent segment disease (where adjacent vertebrae degenerate) may occur and can affect recovery time.
What limitations will I have after the procedure?
Spinal fusion is performed when nonoperative treatments have been exhausted. It will result in a loss of some mobility, depending on the number of levels fused.
Ortho Westmount is the premier choice for back surgery in Montreal thanks to our skilled orthopedic surgeons, state-of-the-art facilities, and focus on patient-centered care. Our talented team is highly proficient in a broad spectrum of spinal surgeries. Through the use of advanced surgical techniques, we deliver better outcomes and speedier recoveries.
The cost of orthopedic surgery at Ortho Westmount depends on various factors, such as the specific procedure, its complexity, and the length of hospital stay. Understanding that cost can be a concern for patients, we aim to be as transparent as possible. While our fees cover surgery, post-operative care for up to 48 hours, and physiotherapy during this time, other costs like travel expenses, pre-operative tests, and any additional convalescence needs are not included.
Did you know we have a support group?
Your questions and concerns have most likely been asked and answered in our support group. We provide you with reliable patient education and resources to help you throughout this life-changing process.
