Artificial Spine Lumbar Disc Replacement

Artificial Spine Lumbar Disc Replacement

Have you ever had spinal conditions and wondered, can spinal discs be replaced? or, what is the best artificial disc replacement method?. Having spinal problems is as common as having kidney stones or gallstones. Majority of the elderly population has had a history with different kinds of spinal conditions that result from the everyday wear-and-tear of the bones.

Today, we at MyMedtrip.com, shall give you a brief on artificial spine lumbar disc replacement. We will help you understand why and when it is performed and whether you need spinal disc replacement.

What is covered in the above mentioned cost for surgery?

This price includes surgery cost, doctor’s fee, standard prescribed tests and all standard expenses required at the hospital.

About the Spine

Our spine is the central point of reference for the body’s movements. It is a part of our central nervous system (CNS) which is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and our muscles.

The spine consists of small bones known as the vertebrae that are held together by facet joints, and other nerves and tissues. Together they form the spinal column.

Located in between each vertebra are cushion-like cartilages called spinal disc. The spinal disc together with facet joints help us move our body with ease and give us support in carrying out laborious tasks.

Artificial spine lumbar disc replacement is a type of spine surgery which is conducted in the lower back region of our body. It entails replacing worn-out discs of the lumbar region with metallic or plastic ones.

It is a recent advancement in the field of spine and provides an alternative to spine fusion surgery which involves joining two small vertebrae into one solid bone that is aimed to remove the need for the diseased disc.

The aim of lumbar disc replacement is to relieve pain by removing the pain-causing disc altogether and replacing it with modern day prosthetics.This implant is designed to mimic the function of the original disc and improve the dynamics of the spine.

As an approach, it is much better than fusion of two bones to stop movement altogether. However, this is a risky method of treatment and is not recommended to people with degenerative disc diseases (DDD).

Artificial spine lumbar disc replacement cannot be performed on people who are suffering from:-

• Severe osteoporosis
• Fracture
• Facet joint osteoarthritis
• Spine tumor
• Spinal stenosis
• Injured spinal ligaments

Artificial spine lumbar disc replacement 

It is an established fact that surgical intervention is only required when non-surgical methods have failed. But even then, people with persisting lower back pain are not eligible for it.

It can only be performed if non-surgical treatment for a minimum of six months has failed. The surgery is usually recommended if:-

• Six months of physical therapy has not successfully addressed lower back pain.
• Only one or two of the lower discs are degenerated.
• There is no or liminal pressure of the disc degeneration upon the surrounding nerves.
• There is no other spinal ailment such as scoliosis or kyphosis.
• The patient is not obese.
• The patient has had no other spinal surgery.

Following this, the doctor may suggest some tests. They include MRIs, X-rays, and CT-scans, etc. It helps in determining the genesis of the pain.

Only after this will the doctor recommend an alternative to spinal fusion surgery, artificial spine lumbar disc replacement. This surgery is generally aimed at removing the degenerate disc, restoring disc height, reducing pain, and preserving our body’s lower-back motion.

This is the best artificial disc replacement method with a higher recovery rate and faster recovery time when compared to its alternative, spinal fusion surgery. Additionally, there is more spine mobility and a lesser rate of pressure on surrounding nerves and tissues.

Before the Artificial spine lumbar surgery

Prior to the surgery, the doctor may ask the patient to refrain from certain kinds of medications such as blood-thinners and over-the-counter pain medications.

Since alcohol is a blood thinning agent, the patient is asked to avoid its consumption from before.

Also, smoking is asked to be avoided as it reduces the rate of our body’s recovery.

The patient is recommended to be admitted a day prior to the surgery. The night before the due date, the patient is asked not to eat food or drink any kind of fluid.

Surgical procedure 

On the day of the surgery, the team of surgeons at first puts an IV line into the vein for injecting anesthesia, and other medicines.

After the anesthesia, the patient is laid on his/her back and an incision is made at the abdomen. The surrounding organs, muscles, and blood vessels are then moved to a side. This allows the team to access the spine.

A discectomy is performed in which the degenerated disc is removed from its disc space. The team then measures the spaces between the vertebrae and the curvature of the spine at the bottom.

Following this, the implants are prepared accordingly. In some cases, the team may find a considerable reduction of the disc height. The surgeon would then work to restore the original height.

As soon as the disc space is prepared, the artificial disc implant made from metal or plastic is placed inside. Real-time fluoroscopy that provides a constant live X-ray of the spine, is used while placing the implant. Following this, the organs and blood vessels are put back in its place and the incision is closed. The surgery lasts for 2-3 hours.

Immediately after the surgery, the patient is taken out and placed under observation until the anesthesia wears off. Here, their vitals such as heart rate and blood pressures are closely monitored.

Medicines to prevent infection, blood clot, and pain are injected through the IV line. The doctors also attach catheters to the patient’s bladder to reduce excessive movement.

Recovery after surgery

While the IV and catheters are removed in a few days , the patient is required to stay for a day or two at the hospital. Usually on the day of discharge, the patient will be able to stand up and walk with the help of assistive devices such as crutches or walkers.

Upon leaving the hospital, the patient is prescribed pain medications for postoperative pain, heat and ice therapy for relaxing muscles and reducing muscle spasm, and back braces for 4-6 weeks so as to decrease chances of dislocation.

The total recovery time period takes about three months. During this time, rehabilitating the patient is mandated. The physical therapist will teach the patients on how to work with their new spine.

Exercises usually start with gentle movements such as trunk twists which then slowly progresses to proper stretching and walking.

The patients are recommended not to drive for a few weeks after the surgery.

Risks related to artificial spine lumbar disc replacement surgery

This is a more risky procedure than spinal fusion since it requires a larger access to the spine. Adding to this risk are all potential surgical risks common to all surgical interventions. Together they include:-

• Infection at the surgical site.
• Blood clot.
• Spinal cord or nerve damage.
• Spinal fluid leakage which results from the tearing of the outer layer of the spinal column during surgery.
• Infection from the artificial materials or an  allergic reaction to it.
• Dislocation of the artificial discs.
• Spinal stenosis that results from the breakdown of spinal bones.

In very rare cases, complications arising from the risks would require another surgery. Most of these surgeries are related to complications involving the new artificial discs.

For example, sometimes parts of the implant may begin to break or may entirely loosen. In such a scenario, an immediate spinal fusion surgery is conducted.

How can MyMedTrip.com help you?

Once you have decided to travel to India for artificial spine lumbar disc replacement surgery, you may contact us on our Whatsapp number +91 9818237391 or email us at hi@mymedtrip.com. The first consultation arranged by us is free of cost!

We also provide visa invitation letters and help in facilitating the medical journey to India. Throughout the journey, you shall be provided with one of our staff members for proper guidance through linguistic barriers.

Although, most of the hospitals and doctors we feature are well versed with Arabic, Russian, and English. If you have any further queries or questions related to artificial spine lumbar disc replacement in India, please do not hesitate to email us at the aforementioned address.

Frequently Asked Questions about Artificial spine lumbar disc replacement

What is artificial spine lumbar disc replacement?

Artificial spine lumbar disc replacement is a type of spine surgery which is conducted in the lower back region of our body. It entails replacing worn-out discs of the lumbar region with metallic or plastic ones

Who does not qualify for artificial spine lumbar disc replacement?

Patients with conditions such as severe osteoporosis, fracture, facet joint osteoarthritis, spine tumor, spinal stenosis, and injured spinal ligaments do not qualify for artificial spine lumbar disc replacement

When is artificial spine lumbar disc replacement recommended?

Artificial spine lumbar disc replacement is recommended to patients when non-surgical methods have failed to relieve the patient of spine problems.

What are the tests recommended before artificial spine lumbar disc replacement surgery?

The tests are  MRIs, X-rays, and CT-scans.

How is artificial spine lumbar disc replacement surgery better than spinal fusion surgery?

This is the best artificial disc replacement method with a higher recovery rate and faster recovery time when compared to its alternative, spinal fusion surgery.

How do I prepare for an artificial spine lumbar disc replacement surgery?

The patient ought to refrain from certain kinds of medications such as blood-thinners, over-the-counter pain medications,  alcohol, and smoking.

How many days do I have to stay in the hospital for artificial spine lumbar disc replacement?

You will be required to stay in the hospital for two days after artificial spine lumbar disc replacement.

Under what anesthesia does artificial spine lumbar disc replacement convene?

The tests that are required

General anesthesia.