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After speaking with Dr. Dhawlikar, we have included the Q&A that was conducted to gain further perspective into Cervical Disc Replacement.
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Q: Comparison of Mobi-C Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Versus Fusion for the Treatment of Symptomatic Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease.
What are you views and why?
A: The big benefit of Cervical Disc Replacement is that it is a motion preserving surgery as opposed to the fusion where two or more vertebrae are fused and motion is lost at those segments. Preserving motion also helps in preventing deterioration/ degeneration at the adjacent levels that is often seen after a fusion and may require further surgery. Recovery is quicker after a disc replacement versus fusion and the disc replacement does not need prolonged immobilization in a collar. So overall Cervical Disc Replacement procedure has several advantages in the appropriately indicated patient.
Q: What’s a common procedure that have 2 very different approaches for treatment? Please explain your method and why?
A: As elaborated above, Cervical Disc Replacement is advantageous in the appropriate patient. Unfortunately, though not all patients are appropriate for it. Fusion is indicated in someone who has a lot of arthritis in the facet joints in addition to disc herniation. Currently Disc Replacement is indicated by the FDA on 2 contiguous levels only. Hence, if a patient has more than 2 level pathology then fusion is more appropriate. Also, in cases with cervical deformity or instability in addition to disc herniation, fusion is the procedure of choice. Therefore surgery has to be done by a well-qualified and board certified spine surgeon who can tailor the surgery to the needs of the patient.