Cervical Disc Replacement | Disc Replacement Surgery | MedStar Health

When a disc in the neck slips out of place or wears over time, it can cause severe and debilitating neck pain. For patients who have experienced ongoing neck pain due to a disc problem, there is a surgical option called cervical disc replacement surgery. During this procedure, your doctor removes the problematic disc and replaces it with an artificial disc. This artificial cervical disc imitates a real disc, offering support between the bones of your spine and allowing for a full range of motion.

Our team is pleased to offer this surgery for patients in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, MD regions. Our experienced surgeons offer you the comprehensive care you need for an effective procedure and a successful recovery. They are fellowship-trained in spine surgery and specialize exclusively in caring for neck and back conditions.

Why is cervical disc replacement surgery performed?

This surgery may be recommended for patients who are suffering from severe neck pain due to one of the following problems in the cervical spine:

What does cervical disc replacement surgery involve?

During the surgery (also known as total disc arthroplasty), artificial disc replacement (ADR), or total disc replacement (TDR), your physician will first remove the damaged portions of your cervical spine that are causing your neck pain. Next, your surgeon will replace the old disc with an artificial disc, which is a small device that sits between two vertebrae in the spine in place of the damaged disc.

What does recovery involve?

Following your artificial disc replacement (ADR) surgery, patients will usually need to stay in the hospital for several days. As you are healing, your doctor will create a personalized recovery plan for you, which may include:

  • Neck bracing
  • Pain medication
  • Physical therapy
  • Rest

What are the benefits of undergoing disc replacement surgery?

The benefits include:

  • Neck pain relief
  • Nerve pressure relief
  • Corrected spinal structure
  • Improved range of motion