Introduction
The spinal cord is a complex and crucial structure that enables mobility and supports the body. However, spinal problems and conditions such as degenerative disc disease (DDD), a condition that is characterized by deterioration of the spinal discs. It causes chronic pain and significantly affects a person's quality of life. Traditional treatment methods for degenerative disc disease (DDD) often involve spinal fusion surgery, which limits the natural movement of the spine. In recent years, advancements in medical technology have led to the development of artificial back discs as a promising solution to eliminate pain and restore spinal functionality. This article explores the benefits, limitations, and types of artificial back discs.
What Are Artificial Back Discs?
Artificial back discs, also known as artificial intervertebral discs or total disc replacement, are medical devices designed to replace damaged or degenerated discs in the spine. Artificial back discs are also used in various spinal conditions like spinal stenosis and herniated discs. Unlike traditional surgical procedures such as spinal fusion, which eliminate motion in the affected area, artificial back discs aim to restore natural spinal movement while reducing pain and preserving adjacent spinal segments. Artificial back discs are made of biocompatible materials like medical grade or metal polymers designed to mimic human intervertebral discs' function and structure.
What Are the Benefits of Artificial Back Discs?
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Pain Relief: Artificial back discs are designed to replicate the exact function of human intervertebral discs, thereby reducing pain caused by degeneration or injury. They can effectively relieve symptoms associated with degenerative disc diseases, such as chronic back pain and leg pain.
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Movement Preservation: Unlike spinal fusion, which permanently fuses adjacent vertebrae, artificial back discs maintain the normal range of motion in the spine. This preservation of movement can improve flexibility and reduce stress on adjacent discs.
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Reduce Adjacent Segment Degeneration (ASD): Spinal fusion surgery can lead to increased stress on adjacent discs, potentially resulting in their degeneration over time. Artificial back discs help mitigate this risk by distributing forces more evenly, reducing the likelihood of deterioration in adjacent segments.
What Are the Types of Artificial Back Discs?
Based on Materials:
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Mechanical Artificial Discs: Mechanical artificial back discs are designed to mimic the original movement of the spinal cord by employing various mechanisms such as ball-and-socket or sliding surfaces. These devices are typically made of metal, ceramic, or a combination of both and are engineered to withstand the forces experienced during daily activities.
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Biological Artificial Discs: Biological artificial back discs aim to imitate the structure and function of human spinal discs by utilizing biological materials such as collagen or hydrogel. These discs often have a fibrous outer layer and a gel-like center, similar to a healthy intervertebral disc.
Based on the Location Used:
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Cervical Artificial Discs: These types of artificial discs are used to repair intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. Some of them are the Prestige cervical disc, the BRYAN cervical disc, and Prodisc-C.
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Lumbar Artificial Disc: These types of discs are used to repair lumbar discs of the spinal cord. Some of them are Prodisc-L and ACTIV-L.
What Are the Applications and Surgical Techniques of Artificial Back Discs?
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Artificial back discs are designed to imitate the normal function and structure of the human spinal cord. The disc design should be made with various properties like durability, load-bearing capability, and flexibility to withstand the need required for performing daily activities.
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Artificial back discs should be biocompatible. It should not cause any adverse reactions when implanted into the spinal cord. Biocompatible artificial back discs may help minimize the risk of Inflammation and failure.
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Artificial back discs are implanted into the spinal cord by minimally invasive surgical procedures. Surgeons may consider smaller incisions, reduced tissue damage, and faster recovery time while performing implant surgeries. The surgical procedures usually take two to three hours.
What Are the Limitations and Considerations of Artificial Back Discs?
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Patient Selection: Not all individuals with spinal conditions are suitable for artificial back disc surgery. Factors such as the severity of spinal degeneration, the presence of spinal instability, or the patient's overall health must be carefully evaluated to determine the appropriateness of this treatment option.
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Long-Term Durability: While artificial back discs have demonstrated promising short-term results, their long-term durability is still being evaluated. Studies are ongoing to assess the potential for wear and tear, implant failure, and the need for revision surgeries over time.
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Cost: The cost of artificial back disc surgery can vary significantly, and medical insurance may be limited. Patients should consult with their healthcare providers and insurance carriers to understand the financial implications and coverage options associated with this treatment.
What Are the Current Research and Future Directions of Artificial Back Discs?
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Clinical Studies: Ongoing clinical studies are being conducted to evaluate the long-term outcomes of artificial back discs, including their efficacy, durability, and impact on patient's quality of life. These studies aim to gather more evidence to support the use of artificial back discs as a viable treatment option.
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Technological Advancements: Researchers and engineers continue to explore innovative materials, designs, and surgical techniques to improve the performance and longevity of artificial back discs. These advancements may lead to even better outcomes and expand the patient population eligible for this procedure.
Conclusion
Artificial back discs have made a drastic change in spinal surgeries. Spinal conditions like degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and herniated disc are effectively treated using artificial back discs. The invention of artificial back discs has overcome the drawbacks of spinal fusion surgery. Surgical procedures used in implanting artificial back discs into the spinal cord are minimally invasive as they need only small incisions and less tissue damage. More studies are needed to overcome the limitations of artificial back discs. Following all the considerations while implanting the artificial discs may lead to an increase in the success rate of the surgery.
