| Artificial disc replacement surgery overview | | | | landmark achievement i.e. the spinal arthroplasty or |
| Orthopedics was revolutionized by Sir John Charely, in | | | | the artificial disc replacement surgery. It can be of |
| the 1960's, who developed the total hip replacement | | | | two types cervical (neck) or lumbar (back) surgery. |
| surgery. Since then, orthopedics has advanced at a | | | | This procedure tends to replace the disc with an |
| brisk pace. The development of the hip replacement | | | | artificial disc. This disc, not only, alleviates pain but, |
| surgery was closely followed by the knee joint | | | | also, allows a degree of mobility and flexibility to the |
| replacement surgery. The surgery of the hip and | | | | patient. Despite its high success, the artificial disc |
| knee is referred to as arthroplasty. | | | | replacement surgery is not without it disadvantages. |
| Spinal Fusion | | | | First, there is no guarantee that the surgery will |
| Then came the spinal fusion procedure/surgery. This | | | | relieve the pain; sometimes it can even make the |
| surgery is for patients who suffer from chronic back | | | | pain worse. Second, a condition known as |
| and/or neck pains. This surgery removes the | | | | spontaneous ankylosis can develop; it refers to the |
| degenerated discs from between the problematic | | | | ossification of the surrounding tissue of the operated |
| vertebrae and then fuses/locks those vertebrae | | | | vertebrae, which develops a condition similar to that |
| together. Due, to which they cannot move | | | | of a spinal fusion. |
| independently, which thus, reduces flexibility, | | | | Treatment |
| permanently alters the biomechanics and, | | | | After the major spine surgery, treatment is focused |
| furthermore, increases the probability of degeneration | | | | on non-surgical methods or options. Further surgery is |
| of the discs above and below the fused vertebrae. | | | | only undertaken in extreme circumstances for |
| Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery | | | | example if the pain increases exponentially. |
| But, in recent years, orthopedics has seen another | | | | |