What is Total Disc Arthroplasty?

Total disc arthroplasty, also known as a total disc replacement, is a minimally invasive spinal surgery. This surgery is used in order to replace damaged and degenerative spinal discs. In this surgical procedure, the degenerated disc is replaced with a prosthetic one. Age, genetics, traumatic accidents, and simple wear and tear from daily activities all can cause disc degeneration that has to be surgically treated.

The degenerated discs in the neck and low back cause a great deal of pain and inflammation, compression of nerves, numbness, weakness, and loss of mobility. This is where an artificial disc replacement helps in preserving the natural structure and height of the spine and restoring fluid movement and flexibility. After TDA in the cervical spine, you should turn your head toward the right or left, bending your neck forward, backward, and side to side without limitations or pain. After TDA in the lumbar spine, you should be able to turn and bend forward, backward, and side to side without any limitation or pain.

When is This Procedure Done?

Like with many conditions and injuries, a variety of causes may lead a doctor to prescribe TDA. A doctor may prescribe a total disc arthroplasty if any trauma or disease impairs the function of either a cervical or lumbar disc. Degenerative disc disease is one common condition that can lead to a TDA. Degenerative disc disease tends to happen naturally as part of the aging process. Your spine has liquid in its discs, which act like cushions within the space between the vertebrae. As people grow older, the fluid inside the discs tends to be lost, leaving them thinner and painful from time to time. Degenerative disc disease, as well as resulting pain, can result from injury, tearing from athletic exertion or certain repetitive daily activities, or from carrying excessive body weight. Please keep in mind that TDA is not an absolute alternative to spinal fusion, and not all the conditions addressed by spinal fusion can be effectively managed by TDA.

Who is a good candidate for Total disc arthroplasty?

The best candidates for Disc replacement surgery are those patients who have not responded to nonsurgical treatment and who have moderate or severe degenerate disc disease.

Most of the cases include patient not over the age of 60 years, not having multi-level spine degeneration, no osteoporosis, not overweight, has not undergone any previous surgery for this condition, has attended 3 months of non-surgical treatments like stretching, exercise and medications but has not seen any benefit, do not have scoliosis or any other kind of spinal deformity and the spinal canal nerves are not compressed

How should I prepare for Total disc arthroplasty?

Before you consider undergoing any surgical treatment, you must strictly follow all instructions of your physicians. In such cases, sometimes following the counsel of a doctor strictly may alleviate a few of your symptoms without surgery. Most patients with low back pain recover adequately without any surgical intervention, but 1% to 5% of them do not respond to appropriate nonsurgical care, such as muscle strengthening, physical therapy, massage, manipulation, weight control, and analgesia." If you fall into that 1% to 5% and you need surgical intervention, here's what to do. First, you would have to undergo all the tests and blood tests that your doctor will ask for.

These tests help the medical professionals know that you can tolerate surgery perfectly whether it is safe for you to administer anesthesia. They also let your doctor know about the possible complication that you might experience. Then you should take care of yourself mentally, emotionally and physically. Having enough nutrition, exercising regularly, and getting rid of excess fat will help speed your recovery. So does avoiding smoking, heavy drinking and too much stress in general. You should also prepare your mind. Even perfect surgeries aren't always easy and should be prepared for. At this stage, ensure that you have a good support system and friends' help as well as your family. You probably will feel weak after surgery for the first week, so you could use support from others with everyday tasks when necessary. If your work requires heavy lifting, though, you'll probably have to wait six to eight weeks.

What are the procedure of Total disc arthroplasty?

The arthroplasty procedure basically involves the following steps:

Once anesthetized and prepared, a very small incision is created.
The removal of the affected disc or discs relieves the pressure from the spinal nerves.
Vertebra are spread apart gently, recreating the space cushioning.
An appropriately sized implant is placed and aligned.
When the procedure is complete with the installation of the endplates, the prosthesis is cautiously inspected through the use of x-ray imagery.

How long does Total disc arthroplasty take?

A total disc arthroplasty, or artificial disc replacement surgery, takes usually from 45 minutes to 3 hours. However, the duration of the process depends on the needs of the patient and level of the spine being treated.

What is the benefit of Total disc arthroplasty?

In the case of a fusion surgery, the pain may be addressed; immobilization of the vertebrae surrounding the disc space usually limits the degree of flexibility in that area of the spine.
It allows movement of the spine.
The patients had shown some motion between 0 to 21 degrees in forward and backward bending.
It does not involve a bone graft, another advantage of disc replacement surgery.
The greatest and overall advantage is the alleviation of pain. Another objective of any surgery on the spine is to prevent any more degeneration and get the patient back to normal life. Though both fusion surgery and artificial disk replacement provide relief from pain, spinal fusion restricts the movement of vertebrae around the disk space by immobilizing them.
Laboratory testing indicates that patients who have received total disk replacement show greater mobility of the spine. With minimal or no pain at all, their concentration level on any task bound to rise.

What is the success rate of Total disc arthroplasty?

Generally, the success rate for TDA is high. Its range goes from 90 to 95% in cervical procedure; while in lumbar procedure it goes above 90%. However, success greatly varies with various factors: the level of skill presented by the surgeon, the age of the patient, the quality of the bone, existence of arthritis, and the extent of joint degeneration.

How long does it take to recover from Total disc arthroplasty?

TDA is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning that the risks are lesser and rehabilitation time is shorter than open surgery. You can be discharged on the same day and nursing staff will give you specific instructions that will help your recovery. You'll be sore and weak for a while after the surgery, but most patients are able to get back to normal activities within a few weeks after surgery. The artificial disc implanted mimics all qualities of a healthy disc and provides a fluid, flexible motion in the spine.

What can I expect during recovery after Total disc arthroplasty?

After total disc arthroplasty, the following can be expected

Return home: The majority of patients can return home four hours after the procedure.
Manage pain: You can take some over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the first few days. Your doctor will prescribe other pain medication.
Resume light activities: You may reassume your non-physical work and light activity within a week.
Follow a recovery plan: Your doctor will give you instructions on how to care for the incision, what activities to avoid and when you can start physical therapy.
Nutrition: You can recover well if you are eating a nutritious diet.
Hydration: There's no body without water. So, hydration is very important for good body functioning.
Take rest whenever you need to.
You may need to wear a support: According to the nature of your disease and operation, you may be required to wear a neck support or an open cervical brace to assist during the healing time.

Average recovery time for total disc arthroplasty may range between 6–12 weeks, but it might take up to 3–4 months to reach full activity level.

Why Tender Palm Super Speciality Hospital for Total Disc Arthroplasty in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Hospital has the most experienced spine surgeons provides Total Disc Arthroplasty in Lucknow, India. We provide advanced spinal care with modern surgical facilities and a medical team. Our focus on patients ensures safety, precision, and faster recovery. This makes us one of the best hospital for Total Disc Arthroplasty in Lucknow, India.