Degeneration of the intervertebral disc can cause severe, intermittent back pain (with or without leg pain), which negatively affects a person’s quality of life and limits their mobility.
Many patients with degenerative diseases of the spine have previously had more than one case of intervertebral hernia. As a rule, the degeneration cannot be recognized by radiography. The exact identification of damaged structures is carried out using MRI.
How to determine if you need artificial disc replacement
The main question is whether the existing changes are the cause of the symptoms. Sometimes, patients who do not experience back pain show significant degenerative changes, while patients who experience unbearable pain, MRI showed no complications. In other words, this problem cannot be solved only with the help of imaging examinations. You should seek expert advice at adrspine.com.
Important! Recommendations for intervertebral disc endoprosthesis are given after accurate examination and analysis of diagnostic imaging. If the changes shown by the MRI correspond to the described symptoms, it will not be difficult to find a solution to the problem.
Sometimes, based on the picture of the patient’s illness, the doctor strongly recommends endoprosthesis of the intervertebral disc so that the patient can return to his previous lifestyle as quickly as possible.
Thanks to the progress in the development of implants, the intervertebral disc endoprostheses used in modern medicine correspond to all the anatomical and functional features of the lumbar spine, which contributes to the restoration of its natural mobility. In addition, modern endoprostheses have shock-absorbing properties and help to restore the previous structure of the intervertebral disc.
How is the treatment carried out?
If diagnostics confirm that the damaged intervertebral disc is causing complaints, surgery to replace it will be the best and correct solution.
The principle of treatment is always the same: maximum removal of the intervertebral disc, if possible – preservation of the outer ring of the disc.
To prevent a violation of the height of the vertebral body, an artificial implant (endoprosthesis) is placed in the place of the damaged intervertebral disc. A functional intervertebral disc prosthesis is an excellent alternative to replace many painful discs.
The implantation of an intervertebral disc endoprosthesis is performed through a small incision in the hypogastric spot. After removal of the prolapsed intervertebral disc between the vertebrae (intervertebral), an endoprosthesis is installed.
The inserted implant is secured with two titanium plates. Thus, the bone can grow optimally to the prosthesis and the patient does not need to worry about the weakening of the established structure. Between the two titanium plates is a polyethylene sliding core, a polyurethane shell that protects the disc from the inside.