 The
surgical approach for the Prestige Artificial Cervical
Disc is identical to an Anterior Cervical Fusion. The
main difference in the procedures is that an artificial
cervical disc is placed in the disc space rather than
a bone graft and internal fixation.  An
Anterior Cervical Discectomy with the placement of
a Prestige Artificial Cervical Disc, is an operation
performed on the cervical spine to relieve pressure
on one or more nerve roots, or on the spinal cord.
The procedure is explained by the words anterior (front),
cervical (neck), and discectomy (cutting out the disc).In
this operation, the cervical spine is reached through
an incision approximately one inch in length in the
front of your neck. (See
figure 2)
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What
happens after surgery?
The
surgery may be done as an outpatient procedure. The
hospital stay is generally 24 hours. During this time,
IV fluids may be given while your body recovers and
your normal appetite returns. You may move about in
bed and rest in any comfortable position when you have
recovered from anesthesia. Walking may begin within
several hours of surgery. Daily walking is the best
exercise, setting a pace that avoids fatigue or severe
pain. You may return to work when you are ready, and
drive after you regain full coordination.
Successful
recovery from anterior cervical discectomy and placement
of the Prestige Artificial Disc requires that you approach
the operation and recovery with confidence based on
a thorough understanding of each process. Your surgeon
has the specialized training and expertise to correct
physical defects by performing the operation; he and
the rest of the health care team will support your
body's efforts to heal its damaged tissues. Full recovery
will also depend on you having a strong, positive attitude,
setting small, realistic goals for improvement, and
working steadily to accomplish each goal. |
The
approach to the anterior neck makes use of a plane between
muscles, which is very easy to recover from. The muscles
naturally part, giving the surgeon direct access to the
spine, while avoiding the spinal cord. After
the disc is exposed it is removed. Then the nerve root
is decompressed, the offending compressive material is
cleaned out, and then the 
