January 3, 2008
Procedure Provides Potentially Motion-Preserving Alternative to Spinal FusionOrthopaedic Surgeon Joseph R. O’Brien, MD will perform the first total disc replacement at the George Washington University Hospital on January 7. GW Hospital is the first public, nonmilitary hospital in the Washington area to offer the cervical disc replacement to the public. The procedure will treat a young patient with years of neck and arm pain due to arthritis.
Using the Prestige ST Cervical Disc System®, Dr. O’Brien will replace the patient’s damaged disc, which sits between the vertebrae in the patient’s neck (or cervical spine), with an artificial disc designed to maintain motion and flexibility at the treated level. This is done through a minimally invasive incision at the front of the neck. The cervical disc replacement provides patients with a degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine an alternative to spinal fusion.
During spinal fusion, a small plate is attached to the vertebrae to stabilize the bones until the vertebrae fuse together, limiting motion at the treatment level. In a cervical disc replacement, the prosthetic disc is constructed of stainless steel in a unique, two-piece ball-and-trough configuration to preserve motion and flexibility at the treatment level.
“Cervical disc replacement is a great option for patients who have cervical arthritis and don’t want to lose motion in their neck. Research has also shown a faster return to work and decrease in postoperative pain in comparison to standard fusion. For some patients, standard fusion remains a great option—be sure to discuss both options with your doctor,” says O’Brien.
To schedule an appointment with a surgeon to talk about degenerative disc disease and potential treatment options, please call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.
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