Top 7 Signs You Might Need Disc Replacement Surgery

Continuous neck or back pain that doesn’t go away is not only a hassle, it can be a warning of serious problems with your spine. When the spinal discs in the neck or lower back are injured, the person may experience nerve compression, restricted movement, and continuous pain. If these symptoms are neglected, they might lead to a variety of long-term disorders.

At Sarvesh Health City, the Best Neurology Hospital in Hisar, the most skilled neurosurgeons, through the use of advanced diagnostic procedures, make the decision whether a disc replacement surgery can be a way to get back the lost functions and be free from pain.

This article aims to help you determine the main symptoms that you might need for disc replacement surgery, its important advantages, and how choosing the best neurology hospital can make a difference. 

Understanding Disc Problems and When Surgery Becomes Necessary

Intervertebral discs are the soft, jelly-like spaces between each vertebra that provide cushioning to the spine and allow it to absorb shock and move flexibly. Eventually, these discs may become thinner and less elastic due to factors like aging, injury, or repetitive strain. In such cases, these discs are at risk of bulging, herniation, or tearing, which can cause inflammation and push the nerves located in the close vicinity.

At the beginning, these spinal problems are handled by physiotherapy, drugs, or spinal injections. But if all these measures fail and the impairment of the intervertebral disc has a considerable effect on the normal routine, then surgery for disc replacement becomes a feasible option. The process is aimed at eliminating the impacted disc and installing a synthetic one that resembles the natural movement, thus relieving the compressed nerves while still allowing spinal flexibility.

7 Signs You Might Need Disc Replacement Surgery

Disc ailments show up differently in everyone’s case, therefore, recognising them early is quite vital. If multiple symptoms occur simultaneously or do not alleviate after taking non-surgical treatment for a while, it is probably a wise idea to look into surgery options. Let’s have a look at those symptoms first:

1. Persistent Neck or Back Pain from Damaged Disc

What is commonly referred to as ” structural disc problems” in fact is the main reason for ongoing pain that last for weeks or even months despite rest, medication, or therapy. The pain may also be intensified by these movements: bending, twisting, or even sitting for a long time. Through the replacement of the disc, the worn-out disc will be taken out, and the space between the vertebrae will be normalized, thus allowing for frictionless, and therefore, non-painful movements to occur.

2. Radiating pain to the shoulders, arms, or legs

When a degenerated or herniated spinal column exerts pressure on the spinal nerves, along the nerve pathways pain can spread from the site of the injury to the shoulders and arms (in case of cervical disorders) or to the hips and legs (in case of lumbar disorders). Such shooting or burning sensations impair the daily routines of people to a great extent. Spinal disc replacement not only eliminates such nerve impingement giving the promise of pain relief for a longer period and the regain of the lost mobility, but also improves quality of life.

3. Tingling or Numbness in Hands and Fingers

The tingling sensation, “pins and needles,” or numbness felt in the hands and fingers that is caused by a nerve being compressed by a herniated disc. Usually, these symptoms when they are long-lasting or getting worse gradually are indications of nerve compression, which can be made better in many situations after the disc has been removed and the pressure is unblocked.

4. Loss of Grip Strength or Arm Weakness

Weakness of the hand that is caused by the inability of the person to hold, lift or carry objects is the most common sign of nerve involvement. This symptom might be present in a subtle manner at the early stages but as time goes by, it can develop, thus affecting the fine motor skills. Through disc replacement surgery, which can abolish the injured disc and reestablish spinal alignment, better muscle function can be facilitated.

5. Restricted Neck Movement or Stiffness

Difficulty turning the head or looking up without pain, suggests possible disc degeneration or joint inflammation near the affected disc. This stiffness can affect driving, work, and basic tasks. Surgery can restore spinal spacing and movement, allowing for improved range of motion.

6. Spinal Instability and Balance Problems

Discs are great shock absorbers that help the spine to retain its balance while moving. When they stop functioning, the patient is likely to experience postural imbalance, spasms of muscles which may become quite frequent and, besides that, an elevated risk of falling. The operation of disc substitution with a synthetic one aids the restoration of spinal stability, thereby, allowing the body to regain its correct posture and also, as a result, the neighboring muscles being strain free and its surrounding muscles.

7. Failed Conservative Treatments & Decline of Quality of Life

If symptoms of pain persist for several months inspite of using medication, physiotherapy, or injections, then surgery is probably the best solution. In these instances, the pain can cause the reduction of the patient’s activities, emotional distress, and depression. Besides that, disc replacement also helps an individual to regain the lost normal lifestyle that results in the enhancement of body’s and the mind’s well-being.

Final Thoughts

The neck or back pain and nerve-related symptoms that continue for a long time can make the life of a person miserable. In such cases, disc replacement surgery is a life-changing option for the patients. The main thing is to understand when non-surgical treatment has run its course and an expert evaluation is the best option.

Sarvesh Health City, which is the best neurology hospital in Hisar, makes the journey from diagnosis to recuperation hassle-free, employing their state-of-the-art techniques to bring back the movement and remove the pain. It is the most reliable option for excellent neurological care, not only for the people of Hisar but also for the neighboring localities.

FAQs

1. How to know if it is necessary to replace the disc by surgery?

Ans. If images of your spine show that your discs are damaged and your symptoms last even after non-surgical treatment, then you might be suitable for surgery. 

2. How is disc replacement different from spinal fusion?

Ans. Disc replacement preserves spinal movement, while fusion limits it by joining two vertebrae together. 

3. Are there risks associated with disc replacement?

Ans. Unlike any other surgery, disc replacement surgery also comes with little risk, such as infection or nerve damage. But these possibilities reduces greatly when surgery is done by skilled surgeons. 

4. What is the lifespan of an artificial disc?

Ans. Several artificial discs are designed to remain functional for a long span of years up to decades, however, the duration of life is largely influenced by activity level and overall health.