Cervical disc replacement vs fusion for neck pain.

Dr. Wissam Asfahani, a board-certified neurosurgeon in Parker, Colorado, discusses the difference between disc fusion vs. artificial disc replacement in the cervical spine (neck).

[jamesthompson]

Dr. Asfahani is one of the best Drs I've ever worked with. He cares deeply and is passionate about his profession. I actually remember asking him about this when I worked with him years ago. Folks, this man knows his stuff and does great things.

[Hide_and_silk]

This is really useful. I have multilevel (C4 to C7) disc herniation (from a severe whiplash injury a few years ago) and degeneration with mild signal changes in the cord at C4/5. I also have Hypermobile EDS. I have just lost the use of my left hand and so I'm now waiting for a referral to the spinal team (I'm in the UK so the wait may be a long one!) My concern was the impact of a fusion on adjacent vertebra as this is a recognised issue for fusion surgery in EDS - and a problem I've had with other fusion surgery (not spine). It looks like disc replacement and debridement(?) is the best option. Restoring hand function is a work in progress! 😅

[dayanandamurthy]

Very good information comparing anterior and posterior spinal surgery...

[shannonkurtgeorge]

I’m seeking medical opinions for disk replacement vs fusion and was told by a neurosurgeon that because my spinal cord is being compressed and showing sign of damage I couldn’t do a artificial disk replacement. Fusion is the only way to go. But a orthopedic surgeon said I he could perform disk replacement. I would much rather as I’m only 37. Which is the best way to go?

[DonaBranca]

Thank you very much. Excelente presentation!

[timclark]

great video! What if I have all the horrible symptoms of nerve compression (neck pain, numb hand, weak limbs, bicep pain, heart palpitations, hot flashes or red face etc) My mri and xrays show bone spurs; arthritis; and minimal disc bulg at c5-c6 and c6-c7; BUT the experts looking at them say that the pics don't explain my situation because symptoms getting worse over time....if the experts could only experience my symptoms they might see that something needs to be done.

[kevinwk]

Thank you for answering some of my questions. I have cervical spine stenosis pain numbness tingling. One surgeon would like to do ACDF C3 four C4 5C65 and C67 fusion. Another surgeon suggest three disc displacements., Though he said he may have to fuse one when he got in there due to the fact there was a cyst on a vertebrae. The opinions were within the last month within the same MRI or MRIs. I’m extremely active 57 year-old weight training, w nine-year-old boy. far from normal in that department. I also have stenosis in my lower back that doctors have discussed operating since my 20s. I’ve learned to live with that kind of at a certain level cervical pain really went south two months ago. I’m confused exactly what to do. Anyone can help. Let me know. I live in Florida.

[TheJackpotQueen]

I just had this done yesterday 👌I had a nerve caught which was constantly in pain due to auto accident 3 dics came out and nerves were pinched. Waking up I can feel the nerve is free I was bone on bone... I do feel a different kinda pain not nearly as painful as when the nerve was pinched

[RaulRodriguez-vtdc]

I got a fusion in 2019 and it messed me up. I wish I never did it. He told me I wasn’t a candidate for artificial disc replace; Now I have adjacent disc disease and fused down to T2! It’s miserable!

[alsaunders]

I’ve had anterior and posterior fusion after a car accident, C4-C5 are fused. Still walking!

[brians]

The Germans left ball and socket disc replacements more than a decade ago, viscoelastic discs such as cp-esp and lp-esp are far superior to anything in the US, and they are doing many 3 and 4 levels successfully!

[datsuntoyy]

what is the expected life span of the disk replacement?

[farhangnejadpour]

Hi, I did a 2 level ACDF (C4, C5) 2014.. now it seems that C3 above and specially C6 below are also impacted and I would need to make a 4 level ACDF !! is there any way to take away the current 2 level ACDF C4&5 and replace it with the Protese Disk for better mobility ?

[jessecano]

I had my neck and back fused a couple of years ago but failed 😞 i had 3 surgeries on my neck I had 4 bones replaced from cadaver I was diagnosed with failed back syndrome I’m in a lot of pain, getting a lot of headaches in the back of my head down to my neck to my shoulders, to my back lower back to my legs all the way to my toes my arms are numb I had 4 bones replaced with cadaver bones in my neck my back is numb all the time also a lot of pain feels like I’m been sliced with a very sharp knife, I feel my flesh been torn, stabbing, sharp needles, my lower back feels frozen hard but painful I don’t sleep at night but 1 or 2 hours if I’m lucky, I can’t seat down for more than 10 minutes because the pain in the back starts hurting really bad after my surgeries my sciatic nerve has been hurting driving me crazy also I was told I have 3 herniated discs in my lower spine can you suggest anything that would help my situation

[DJR]

interested because i get opinion for most spine surgeon in the past that my disc are ok (i will do MRI before 5 years and the image show disc problem and them give me to develop arthritis in facet and i m also suffer from neck and now its arrived to pinch the cord from back

[msCindyZ]

I have a disc replaced in 2008
In C5-6
The bone has grown over the replacement.
I’m in chronic pain 24/7

[NiccBlacc-NCBC]

I am fused from either T1 / T2 to L3/L4 is it a possibility that is why i now have a herniation around c5 c6 or could it just be fron pressure transfering to the above unfused segment from lifting items that might be too heavy for the muscles in mt back shoulder and neck becsuee it came on 1 week after i lifted a very heavy child and then i had ear pains from it but relaised i was getting ear pains earlier in the year when i probably lifted things doing house decluttering and house repairs and perhaps it was progressing and got worse with lifting the child?

[MdRokibulHossainMukul]

Hi, I am Md Rokibul Hossain from Bangladesh, I am suffering with Ankylosing Spondilities from 14+ years. Didn't move my neck because My survical disc (c1, c2, c3) fused, want to know is it possible to resolve?

[kaelindejesus]

I have hernias at 4 levels of my Cervical spine which are causing nerve compression. I am experiencing pain, numbness and muscle spasms. Am I a candidate for artificial disc replacement?

[yamawwad]

But the artificial disc may pop up out of its place after surgery.