Jul 3, 2009 1:11 pm US/Eastern
Cervical Disc Replacement Helping With Back Pain
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
There are a number of procedures out there to help with neck and back pain. But an increasing number of surgeons are choosing cervical disc replacement for their patients.
Brandon Forrest of Parkland is just 33-years-old but neck pain was making him feel much older. "I had pain that was running down my neck down to my arm all the way down through my thumb and my wrist," said Forrest.
After several tests, Forrest learned what was causing the problem.
"I had a disc that was bulging into my spinal cord," he explained.
Forrest turned to neurosurgeon Daniel Shedid of Cleveland Clinic in Weston. He said disc degeneration can be caused by a number of factors.
"Basically aging, wear and tear, there are genetic factors, occupational factors, nicotine is the number one very important factor in causing disc degeneration," Shedid warned.
Symptoms of disc degeneration disease include neck and arm pain, arm numbness, weakness in the hands or loss of balance.
Dr. Shedid suggested a cervical disc replacement for Forrest. Cervical disc replacement is used now for one level disc degenerative disease or herniation. A cobalt chrome alloy disc with a ball and socket replaces the worn out disc.
The results of a study from the Food and Drug Administration has doctors like Shedid choosing cervical disc replacement over a fusion which has typical resulted in loss of motion and flexibility.
"We are hoping with the cervical disc replacement we maintain the range of motion and the flexibility and would hope that we avoid the breakdown of the adjacent levels," explained Shedid.
Forrest said he's feeling much better since he had his surgery and he's back to an active lifestyle.
"I had success. I feel good," he admitted.
Dr. Shedid said the only downside of this procedure is doctors don't really know how the disc will hold up in 20 to 30 years.
For more information on the procedure,
click here for the Cleveland Clinic website.
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