Artificial Discs Ease Pain In The Neck 

Watch Minneapolis Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Jeffery Dick, MD on WCCO Television

(WCCO) Whether its creaky knees or painful hip joints, science continues to find new ways to replace our worn out parts. Among the latest artificial implants are new spinal discs for achy necks, which is good news for some of the 200,000 Americans who have cervical surgery each year.

For more than a decade mechanic Wayne Jay has been helping to keep the SuperValu fleet rolling along. Repairing the big rigs seems simple to Jay, a lot simpler than repairing the crushing pain in his neck caused by an injury on the job.

"Ya know I had turned the wrong way. I grabbed something heavy and just turned and it seemed like my whole left side all the way down my left arm just went numb within the next hour," said Jay, who is a mechanic for SuperValu.

"He's got a disc herniation over here that pinches the nerve as it goes out through the spinal canal. And that's what was causing his symptoms," pointed out orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeffery Dick.

Cortisone injections and physical therapy failed to bring relief to Jay. That left the standard care of last resort which was removing the damaged disc and surgically fusing the vertebrae above and below it into one solid piece.

However, because Jay is only 38-years-old and very active, Dick suggested giving him replacement parts made of metal.

Medtronic's Prestige Disc, the first FDA approved cervical disc, preserves a natural range of motion.

"It's a real good option for him because it allows him to maintain the motion. Especially important in a young guy with a physical job," said Dick.

Jay agreed, so at Fairview Southdale Hospital a small incision was made in the front of his neck. Doctors went in from the front to avoid the delicate spinal cord.

"The replacement is a ball and trough type of joint," said Dick. "It hinges but it also slides forward and that's what the trough allows."

The doctor locks it all firmly in place with screws, and x-rays confirm that everything is just right.

Dick said compared to a spinal fusion, patients have a head start before they even leave the operating room.

"Quicker recover, quicker return to work. With this we're just waiting for soft tissue to heal and with fusion we're waiting for bone to heal," said Dick.

Just a few weeks later, Jay said he's feeling great with no pain in his neck and shoulder. He feels so good he's actually excited to be getting back to work.

"At my age I figured I wanted to spend time with my kid and actually be able to go back to my job. And a complete fusion would have given me limited movement in my neck," said Jay.

Medtronic priced the Prestige Disc to cost the same as the parts for the standard fusion procedure. Although, for now, insurance companies still seem reluctant to pay for the artificial disc.

About Twin Cities Orthopedics
Twin Cities Orthopaedics is one of the largest orthopedic practices in the country with 70 physicians in 30 clinics. Our physicians are both generally and sub-specialty trained. That means no matter how common or obscure a patient"s problem, we have the capability to offer the best treatment. Our mission is to provide world-class, compassionate care to individuals of all ages with musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Through conservative, top quality care, research and the use of state-of-the art technology and procedures, we help return each individual to an active, pain-free lifestyle. For more information visit www.tcomn.com or contact Tara Heisler at taraheisler@tcomn.com or (952) 457-1220.