If you are undergoing a procedure to address your spine pain, you hope that it is the only operation you ever need. This is especially true if you are undergoing an artificial disc replacement operation, which involves the removal of a damaged spinal disc and the insertion of a manufactured disc that mimics the movement of a healthy disc. But if your natural spinal disc wore down over time, could the same problem develop in your artificial spinal disc? Will your new spinal disc stand the test of time, or is there a chance you’d need to undergo another surgery in the future? We answer those questions and more in today’s blog.
Do Artificial Spinal Discs Wear Down?
Our spinal discs act as a natural cushion for our vertebrae and help facilitate movement, and over the years stress and pressure can cause them to lose some height and shift out of place. For severe cases that can’t be remedied with conservative options like physical therapy, an artificial disc replacement operation may be exactly what you need. But can these discs also break down and shift over time?
Artificial disc replacement surgery is still a relatively new procedure, having been approved for use in the US less than two decades ago. Because of this, we don’t have extensive data on the long-term durability of these spinal implants. However, a number of factors are working in our favor. For starters, surgical technology is better than it has ever been, and even today’s implants are miles ahead of the discs created in the 2000s. These artificial discs are specifically designed to be able to manage stress without breaking down.
Next, there’s the limited data we do have. Looking at 5- 10- and 15-year data from patients who have already undergone an artificial disc replacement procedure, the vast majority of patients are still doing just fine with their original disc, and even the outliers who needed a second surgery very rarely need to do so because of implant degeneration. Finally, there’s also improved laboratory stress testing, meaning researchers can stimulate the effects of 30 years of spinal pressure on these artificial discs in a much shorter time span, meaning we can have a pretty accurate gauge as to how we expect them to hold up over 30 years of normal use. The artificial products on the market today all have stellar track records when put to these types of stress simulations.
So while it’s possible that you may need a second spine surgery to address another issue in your spine, it’s extremely unlikely that the need for this secondary operation will be predicated by a problem with your artificial disc. With that said, there are a few factors that can put more stress on your spinal discs, so keep these tips in mind if you want to avoid overstressing your artificial spinal discs and the natural discs you still have in your spine:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get regular exercise to strengthen your spine
- Use proper lifting techniques
- Have good spinal posture throughout the day
- Invest in a supportive mattress
- Get plenty of vitamins and minerals from your diet
- Talk to your doctor if you’re developing back pain in one area of your spine.
Dr. Sinicropi has performed more than 1,000 spine surgeries, and many of them have been artificial disc replacement operations. He knows the ins and outs of the procedure and can ensure everything runs smoothly and your rehab stays on track. For more information about artificial disc replacement, or to talk to a back specialist about your pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
