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Artificial Disc Replacement

Cervical artificial disc

People who've suffered for years from degenerative discs in their neck, now have an option that may relieve the pain in their neck and arm, allow quick recovery and enable them to lead active and productive lives. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Prestige ST Cervical Disc System.

Used extensively in Europe, FDA clearance of the Prestige artificial disc from Medtronic follows a unanimous recommendation for approval from the FDA advisory board. The artificial disc for the cervical (neck) region is expected to impact more than 200,000 Americans who suffer from degenerative disc disease.

Currently, the most common treatment for patients with degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine is spinal fusion. In this procedure a surgeon removes the damaged disc then implants a bone graft and metal plate to fuse the vertebrae together. During artificial disc replacement surgery, the damaged disc is removed and replaced with an artificial disc, a stainless-steel device with a ball-in-trough design intended to allow for replication of normal motion. The artificial disc stays in place with bone screws. The hospital stay for this procedure is approximately one-two days. Patients can begin rehabilitation and return to daily activities soon after surgery. In fact, patients receiving the Prestige ST artificial disc returned to work in 45 days, 16 days earlier than the fusion patients.

"Compared to spinal fusion, this surgery allows patients to maintain normal neck motion, and study has shown a lower rate of additional surgery for degeneration of adjacent segments," says Noam Stadlan, M.D., CINN neurosurgeon. "Unlike with fusion, patients who've received the disc don't have to bother with a hard collar following surgery."

"Study results show that artificial cervical disc patients regain function faster, and have a higher rate of neurological success as measured by muscle tone, strength, sensation, as well as responsiveness of reflexes than those who undergo spinal fusion," says Dr. Dean Karahalios, CINN neurosurgeon. "Furthermore, the study demonstrated that at two year follow-up the overall success rate for the artificial disc group was 79.3% compared to the fusion group at 67.8%. These reasons are compelling enough for potential candidates to consider the option of an artificial disc."

The Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch is one of the nation's leading organizations for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people with brain and spine disorders. Originally founded in 1987, CINN is one of the Midwest 's largest teams of neurosurgeons, physiatrists, and neurologists known for their pioneering treatments in minimally invasive techniques. Through a network of seven hospitals throughout Chicagoland, CINN is a market leader in treating patients with brain tumors and spine disorders.

For more information on the cervical artificial disc and disc replacement, call: 1-800-446-1234.

Lumbar artificial disc

Some 400,000 Americans suffer from degenerative disc disease. Many more rupture or herniate discs in work-related accidents and sports injuries. For those who fail to respond to conservative treatment, new options are available. Foremost among them: artificial discs.

CINN Institute surgeons who participated in late-stage clinical trials of the new, FDA approved CHARITÉ® Artificial Disc have the most experience and a proven track record of getting patients back to normal. And we start with a comprehensive, integrated approach to spine care that assures you'll have artificial disc surgery only if and when you really need it.

Institute surgeons use the device, when appropriate, to treat patients of any age with both single and multiple level disc degeneration. In addition, some patients who experience sciatica, or pain that radiates down the leg, along with back pain, may be able to receive the implant.

To schedule an appointment with a Chicago neurosurgeon trained to implant the artificial disc, call 773.250.0000