Artificial Disc Replacement: 6 Key Benefits of Our Microscopic Surgical Approach

To serve the best interests of our patients, our team at Coast Neurosurgical Associates has a keen interest in minimally invasive procedures, including microscopic surgery, also called microsurgery. 

These techniques present benefits to patients and surgeons, making microscopic surgery the wave of the future in many spine-related treatments. 

Another exciting advance in spine surgery is the development of artificial disc replacement. Disc replacement procedures are proving a viable alternative to spinal fusion, preserving pain-free mobility without the limits of fused vertebrae. 

Microscopic surgery

When it comes to structures like skin and muscle, suturing repairs require skill, though the need for ultra-fine precision isn’t high. The healing abilities of your body do the detailed healing work in the later stages of recovery. 

However, repairing blood vessels and nerves is a different matter. These delicate internal tissues are much smaller.

When surgical repair of these tissues becomes necessary, there’s often a high priority on regaining or preserving function. This is where microscopic surgery comes in. 

Microsurgery approaches have the ability to magnify small areas of the body so our team can work comfortably on a small scale. Along with magnification, special instruments provide a level of precision far beyond that of conventional surgical tools. 

Artificial disc replacement

At Coast Neurosurgical Associates, we use microscopic surgery for a range of spine procedures. One of the most exciting is artificial disc replacement. The cushioning discs between vertebrae can experience injuries from trauma or rupture, as well as deteriorate over time. 

The spacing that spinal discs provide creates a necessary gap between the bones of the spine, so they’re free to move. Damaged or thinning discs can often limit the way you’re able to bend and twist. 

Furthermore, disc problems can lead to nerve compression or irritation — a common cause of chronic pain. Replacing a damaged disc with an artificial prosthetic returns your spine to normal spacing while preserving spine joint function. 

6 benefits of microscopic surgery

When used for an artificial disc replacement, you’ll enjoy advantages like: 

1. Reduced bleeding: smaller incisions and less healthy tissue involvement
2. Less post-surgical pain: conventional surgery creates larger wounds, meaning more discomfort and pain during recovery
3. Faster recovery: smaller incisions heal faster
4. Minimal scarring: small incisions are less likely to scar
5. Reduced risk of infection: surgical incisions are a potential route for pathogens to enter the body, so smaller incisions also mean less infection risk
6. Short hospital stay: disc replacement surgery is often performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll go home the day of your surgery

Artificial disc replacement surgery can be done both on the lumbar spine (lower back) and the cervical spine (neck). These are the most common locations for symptomatic disc degeneration or injury. 

Contact Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California, to schedule a surgical consultation with our staff. Call or click to book your visit today.