How Does Artificial Disc Replacement Work?

Chronic back pain is an alarming concern for many people nowadays. It affects their mobility seriously and reduces their quality of life. You must visit an orthopedic specialist to identify the underlying reason behind your back pain. If your back pain is due to a degenerative and/or herniated disc, you must consider an artificial disc replacement (ADR). This surgery corrects tingling and pain in the back and restores mobility to enhance the quality of your life.

Before the Artificial Disc Surgery

Orthopedic specialists conduct a detailed medical examination to decide whether ADR is the best option for a patient. Your overall health and medical history will be considered before recommending surgery. If conservative pain treatments and medications fail to deliver results, surgery may be your next option. Once you are advised to undergo artificial disc replacement surgery, your doctor will help you prepare for the procedure.

Doctors will check your current prescription and over-the-counter medications. Some medications interfere with the healing ability of the human body. If you use these medications, doctors may ask you to stop taking them temporarily or change them to prevent unwanted side effects.

Reputed and experienced disc replacement Beverly Hills surgeons follow a transparent approach and make patients aware of the procedure. They discuss everything in detail, including the recovery process to help patients make arrangements ahead of time.

During the Artificial Disc Surgery

You will be administered anesthetics before the disc replacement surgery. It puts you in a deep sleep during the procedure. The next step is to make an incision or surgical wound to access your spine. Then, the orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged disc and inserts a new one to restore optimal mobility. Finally, the doctor closes the incision to complete the procedure.

Post-Surgery Phase is Critical

You must stay alert during the post-surgery phase to optimize the recovery process. Depending on your unique healing ability and condition, you may be advised to stay at the hospital for a few days following the surgery. The surgeon prescribes pain medications to help you through the healing process. You have to avoid submerging the incision site in water during the healing process.

How much rest you need depends on the unique healing ability of your body. It varies from person to person. The doctor will also recommend some gentle stretches to aid the recovery process. You must follow the doctor’s advice about your movements during the post-surgery phase to make the recovery process fast and achieve the best results.