TREATMENTS
CERVICAL DISC REPLACEMENT
IN PALM BEACH COUNTY: RESTORING MOTION AND RELIEVING PAIN
Introduction to Artificial Disc Replacement
Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) is a spinal surgery where a damaged or diseased disc is replaced with one made from artificial material. This procedure is also referred to as total disc replacement (TDR), total disc arthroplasty or cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA). This procedure maintains spinal motion, restores disc height and alignment to the spinal region, and allows for patients with neck pain to return to their day-to-day activities.
Artificial Disc Replacement surgery requires highly specialized training and experience. Dr. Jason Cuéllar’s refined technical skills and knowledge have turned him into one of the most sought-after spinal surgeons in the nation. His knowledge is borne out of attending one of the top, most competitive medical training programs in the US: Stanford University Medical School, NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases residency training program and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Spinal Surgery Fellowship. He then worked side-by-side with world leading spinal arthroplasty surgeon Dr. Todd Lanman for over 6 years in Beverly Hills. Dr. Cuéllar is now one of the leading ADR surgeons in the country, currently located in the Palm Beach area of South Florida.
Degenerative Disc Disease and its Impact
Degenerative Disc Disease is a spinal condition where the discs between spinal vertebrae begin to deteriorate, fragment or even herniate. This condition can cause chronic pain in the neck - or show no symptoms at all - and lead to numbness, weakness or loss of flexibility.
When considering spinal surgery, it is important to select treatment options that allow for the preservation of motion in the spine. This ability to keep aligned and flexible to the natural movements of the spine will reduce the possibility of further injury or undue stress on other vertebrae in the spine. Keeping our spines flexible and healthy is important to the overall health and well-being of our bodies.
Opting to have an Artificial Disc Replacement spinal surgery is a more technologically advanced alternative to a spinal fusion, and often a safer option for patients suffering from pain caused by a damaged vertebral disc. Although not all patients are qualified for an artificial disc replacement, the procedure puts less stress on neighboring discs and yields better long-term flexibility of the spine for patients.
Understanding Spinal Discs and their Role
A spinal disc is a compressible disc that has a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosis and a softer inner region called the nucleus pulposus. The disc acts as a shock absorber between the bones of the neck region of the spine, or, cervical vertebrae.
When spinal “shock absorbing” discs become too worn out they collapse and can cause nerve root compression. The health of our spines depend on these discs as we move, bend and twist throughout our lives.
When a spinal disc begins to degenerate from injury, wear and tear, or disease, it can expose the nerve to the bony spinal vertebrae. Degenerated discs can also herniate – when the inner nucleus pulposus extrudes out through a hole in the annulus. A herniated disc can cause excruciating pain and limit motion in the spine. Disc degenerations and herniations can cause so much pain that they disrupt everyday life for patients and even affect one’s quality of life.
Treatment Options for Cervical Spine Conditions
NON-SURGICAL APPROACHES
There are several non-surgical options available for treating cervical spine conditions. In some instances, physical therapy can yield very helpful results in diminishing pain in the spine. In addition to physical therapy treatments, your doctor may also recommend pain management through medications to treat your back pain.
SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS
Although Dr. Cuéllar will always advocate for trying non-surgical options first, not every patient’s condition will be helped without surgical intervention.
Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR)
An Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement surgery is the surgical treatment of choice performed by Dr. Cuéllar and is always the go-to procedure whenever possible. The reason this is the best surgical option is that it maintains normal motion of the spine, enabling the patient to return to all physical activities, including sports, after a recovery period.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
In some cases, an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) may be the best treatment option to address your pain. During an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion a surgeon will decompress the spinal cord and nerve roots in the targeted region and then stabilize the corresponding vertebrae. This procedure may become necessary if there is instability of the segment.
Regenerative Medicine for Spinal Conditions
Dr. Cuellar offers A2M or, “Alpha 2 Macroglobulin” injections, an extracellular macromolecule, to treat pain. This relief occurs as the injection neutralizes destructive enzymes in the bloodstream.
The protein molecule in A2M keeps our cartilage healthy. A2M injections offer a new way to treat chronic inflammation around joints and other areas of the body where cartilage has become worn, and everyday scientific study progresses in this field and the way we use A2M injects to treat spinal conditions.
Benefits of Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) or Total Disc Replacement (TDR):
RESTORING MOTION AND FUNCTIONALITY
Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) offers not only relief from pain but stability to the spine, restoration of motion and a return to functionality in the region.
REDUCING NECK PAIN AND DISCOMFORT
Living in discomfort and chronic pain does not have to be your daily experience - an Artificial Disc Replacement can reduce your neck pain and help you to restore your strength and alignment.
LONG-TERM CONSIDERATIONS AND BENEFITS
Unlike a spinal fusion, an Artificial Disc Replacement surgery allows your spine to continue to bend, twist and flex normally. Spinal fusion surgery limits the movement of your spine by fusing two vertebrae together, whereas an Artificial Disc Replacement only affects the one vertebral set that houses the diseased or damaged disc. Dr. Cuéllar always does his best to avoid spinal fusion, opting for artificial disc replacement surgery whenever possible.
Artificial Disc Replacement Procedure
Once the damaged disc is exposed, it is then removed in a procedure called a discectomy. This is performed using an operating microscope.
An artificial disc of the appropriate size is then inserted into the empty cavity, or disc space. X-ray imaging is used to confirm the position of the artificial disc implant and finally, the surgeon closes the incision with sutures.
Artificial Disc Replacement vs. ACDF
During an ACDF a surgeon will implant a bone graft and plate and screws so that vertebrae fuses together, in order to stop painful movement. In a disc replacement, an artificial disc is implanted in order to preserve the movement of the vertebrae. Patients who are suffering from bone spurs or herniated discs are both advised to consider these procedures in order to find permanent pain relief in the region.
An Artificial Disc Replacement usually offers a quicker recovery time (usually a month) than an ACDF because a bone graft must fully harden first. The overall success rate for An Artificial Disc Replacement is approximately 90-95%. Artificial disc replacement surgeries have proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of cervical disc degeneration and have much lower rates of adjacent segment degeneration and repeat operation rates when compared to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in both short-term and longer-term follow-up studies, over 5 and 10 year periods.
SUCCESS STORIES AND PATIENT EXPERIENCES
SUCCESS STORIES AND PATIENT EXPERIENCES
SUCCESS STORIES AND PATIENT EXPERIENCES
SUCCESS STORIES AND PATIENT EXPERIENCES
“Attentive, knowledgeable, professional, and treats every patient with individual care! Saved my dad’s life with his minimally invasive procedure and his mindfulness of the medication my father was on before procedure. Thank you Dr. Cuéllar!”
- Eleena H.
SUCCESS STORIES AND PATIENT EXPERIENCES
“I had my consult with Dr. Cuellar yesterday and I was very happy with my visit. The consultation was to discuss a potential surgery that would be pretty extensive/ significant. So it was important to me to have an understanding and compassionate provider. Dr. Cuellar did just that.
He had a great way of balancing his intelligence, understanding, and patience and I did not feel as though he was talking 'at me' or 'down to' me. He was allowing me to actively participate in the conversation (unlike most providers I have dealt with in the past). I was able to go through all of my imaging with him and he explained everything thoroughly. He was not trying to persuade me to do the surgery or push me into anything.
If I do decide to do the spinal revision and artificial disc replacement surgery it will most definitely be with him. His staff, Rachel in particular, was also extremely helpful with scheduling and she was prompt with all of her emails and correspondences with me. So far, nothing but good things to say about my visit with Dr. Cuellar”
- F.Q.
ADR Consultation
with Dr. Cuéllar
Some things to consider in the weeks leading up to your surgery include: stop smoking, stop drinking, eat a well-balanced diet, and commit to a rigorous and regular exercise program. Stepping into surgery with your best foot forward will yield the most rapid and effective healing and recovery post-surgery process.
Dr. Cuéllar is passionate about personalized care and has become a much sought-after expert in the field ADR surgery.
His robust patient assessments provide him with the exact information he needs in order to curate a treatment plan for your specific condition, centered around your personal lifestyle. Dr. Cuéllar’s personalized treatment plans lead to optimal results for his patients.
Contact Dr. Cuéllar today and schedule your consultation - a pain-free life is within your grasp.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative Disc Disease occurs when spinal intervertebral discs begin to deteriorate over time.
How Does a Herniated Disc Lead to Pain?
Because the spinal canal has such limited space, a displaced fragment - or herniated disc - puts too much pressure on the spinal nerves which results in pain or other symptoms such as numbness, tingling or weakness.
Who is a Suitable Candidate for Artificial Disc Replacement?
Ask your doctor is ADR is right for you. Age may not play a factor, however, other health conditions such as osteoporosis may be important.
How is Spinal Cord Safety Ensured during Surgery?
During surgery, patients are under spinal cord monitoring, where wires and electrodes are connected to skin and muscle. Any changes in the nervous system are detected by a computer and may point to a problem. Your surgical staff will monitor this system throughout your surgery.
What are the Long-Term Outcomes for Artificial Disc Replacement?
Many studies have been done to examine the outcomes of an artificial disc replacement surgery, particularly at the post surgery 5 and 10 year mark. Prior to artificial disc replacement, a spinal fusion was the main method of surgically repairing damaged discs. However, a spinal fusion creates a lack of movement, which puts more stress on the parts of the spine above and below the site. Over time, that can stress the neighboring levels of the spine (a condition known as adjacent segment disease). Such a scenario would mean a high likelihood of additional surgery will be needed. An artificial disc replacement has a lower incidence of needing another surgery in the future.
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PALM BEACH COUNTY
PALM BEACH GARDENS
4362 Northlake Blvd, Suite 209
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