Prestige
Artificial Cervical
Disc FAQ's |
What
type of symptoms would a patient have to have for you
to consider them as a candidate for the PRESTIGE® Cervical
Disc?
A patient who presents with a single level cervical disc herniation or
cervical degenerative disc disease at C3, C4, C5, C6 or C7, with associated
arm pain, tingling or numbness, and has failed to respond to conservative
therapy, is a candidate for Artificial Disc Replacement. |
What
are the potential benefits for a patient who receives
the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc?
The main benefit of using an Artificial Cervical
Disc is preserving the motion and natural balance of the
spine. Rarely is a cervical problem just one level. With
an artificial disc, the adjacent segment will absorb less
impact. |
What
are the potential risks for a patient who receives
the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc?
There are risks associated with any surgical procedure.
The risks for a cervical surgery include but are not limited
to: inter operative complications, infection, bleeding,
hardware failure, hoarseness, paralysis, and death. |
What
type of conditions does the PRESTIGE® Cervical
Disc replacement surgery treat?
The Artificial Cervical Disc may be a treatment
option for patients who have single level Cervical Degenerative
Disc Disease or Cervical Herniations C2-C7. Normally the
patient will also have corresponding radiculopathy (shooting
pain, numbness, tingling) in their arm. |
How
might the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc impact the patient's
outcome?
The patient’s symptoms should be resolved
with either an Anterior Cervical Disectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
or a Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement. The advantages
of a PRESTIGE Cervical Disc over an ACDF are: motion preservation,
and the shorter recovery period. Patients return to their
normal life activities a couple of weeks after surgery. |
What
is the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc made out of? Is
it a material that's been used in people in the past?
The Prestige Disc is constructed of stainless
steel. Stainless steel has been used in various orthopedic
medical devises for many years and has been deemed safe. |
How
is the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc implanted? Is it
a familiar technique?
The Prestige Disc is implanted using the same
surgical procedure as an Anterior Cervical Disectomy and
Fusion. Instead of using bone graft for a fusion, an artificial
disc is placed between the vertebra. |
What
type of pain will patients have after cervical artificial
disc surgery?
There is minimal pain with an Anterior Cervical
Discectomy or an Artificial Disc Replacement. There may
be some muscle soreness or some difficulty in swallowing. Patients
are up and around within a day or two, and the pain usually
resolves itself within a couple of weeks. |
 How
large is the scar from a cervical artificial disc surgery?
Where will the scar be?
The
scar for an Anterior Cervical Disectomy with Artificial
Disc placement is approximately one inch horizontally.
The incision is made in a natural skin fold, and meticulously
closed for an excellent cosmetic outcome. This picture
was taken one year post-op. Click on the picture to
enlarge it. |
How
long will the patient be in the hospital after cervical
artificial disc surgery?
The length of stay will vary for an Artificial
Cervical Disc Replacement surgery. In some cases the surgery
can be done as an out patient procedure. In other cases,
the patient may stay overnight in the hospital. |
Do
I have to do anything special after cervical disc surgery,
like wear a soft neck collar?
A soft collar is not mandatory for patient's’s
who have had an Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement surgery. |
How
soon are patients typically able to return to normal
activities after cervical disc surgery?
After an Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement
surgery, a patient may return to limited activity within
a week of having surgery. Normal activities are resumed
within a month, and all restrictions are lifted at 3 months
post-operatively. |
Why
do you choose to use the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc
over the standard of care you use now?
The Artificial Cervical Disc is an excellent option
for the right patient with the right diagnosis. The advantage
of the Artificial Cervical Disc is the opportunity to preserve
motion, and reduce the possibility of adjacent segment
degeneration. |
What
are the differences between cervical disc replacement
and lumbar disc replacement?
The lumbar artificial disc replacement is a very
controversial procedure that I rarely recommend. The diagnosis
and indications for lumbar and cervical surgeries are completely
different. The cervical artificial disc is indicated for
nerve pain, has a high success rate, and a low complication
rate. If a revision is necessary, there are no bridges
burned by performing an Anterior Cervical Disectomy and
using an Artificial Disc. If there is any type of complication
from the lumbar disc, the revision surgery is always life
threatening. |
Will
my insurance company pay for the PRESTIGE® Cervical
Disc?
Aetna is covering the Artificial Disc. Other insurance
companies such as Cigna, TriCare/TriWest, Writers Guild,
and Workman's comp are approving the procedure. Although
the disc is FDA approved, Blue
Cross and Blue Shield of California are not covering the
devise at this time. |
What
should I do if my insurance company does not pay for
the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc?
We will make every attempt to obtain approval
for the Prestige Artificial Disc procedure. If the insurance
company does not approve the Prestige Disc, the first step
is to appeal the decision. Other options include paying
for the procedure, waiting if medically advisable, or pursuing
a fusion surgery. |
After
spine surgery, do I need antibiotics before getting
my teeth cleaned?
According to a joint study by AAOS (American
Association of Orthopedic Surgeons) and the American
Dental Association. At this time antibiotics are
recommended for two years following an implant
procedure. Notify your dentist when scheduling
an appointment. The dentist will prescribe the
recommended antibiotic if necessary. |
After a
spinal fusion, will the instrumentation in my body set
off the alarm at the airport?
It is recommended, but not mandatory that you advise the TSA officer of an
implanted medical devise. With the current screening system, patients have
not reported setting off the alarm. With the advent of full body scanners,
this may change. |
Should
I donate blood before surgery?
There are pros and cons in donating blood prior to surgery. Generally, Dr.
Pashman does not require patient's to donate blood prior to a surgical procedure. More
information can be found here. |
Related links:
Prestige
Artificial Disc
Artificial Disc Surgery
Anterior Cervical Discectomy
Comparison of Artificial Cervical
Discs
Neck FAQ's
www.NeckPainExplained.com
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