椎间盘置换

If you suffer from low back pain, also called lumbar back pain, you are not alone. 在美国，每年有超过6500万人吸烟.S. 经历下腰痛. This may be caused by degenerative disc disease (DDD), 脊椎和椎间盘的紊乱.

如果你患有由DDD引起的慢性背痛, 哪些对非手术治疗无效, 可以考虑人工椎间盘置换术. Recent studies have shown that artificial disc replacement can significantly reduce chronic low back pain in select patients. 与脊柱融合术等技术相比, disc replacement has the advantage of maintaining fuller motion in the spine, which may lessen the likelihood of problems developing at adjacent levels in the spine. While spinal fusion surgery is recommended for some patients with DDD, advisability for patients and techniques remain controversial and the results can be variable. In some cases, the surgery decreases motion in the spine and transfers stress to adjacent levels. In addition, the ability of the bone to heal varies and occasionally may not be successful.

准备

If you suffer from chronic low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease (DDD) that does not respond to other non-surgical therapies, you may be eligible for artificial disc replacement surgery. 然而, this procedure is not recommended for everyone. Based on your symptoms, your doctor will determine the best course of treatment for you.

Artificial disc replacement may be recommended for patients between the ages of 18 and 60 with DDD at one or two levels of the spine whose condition has not responded to at least six previous months of non-surgical therapy. 病人 who have other spinal abnormalities such as spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and scoliosis are usually not candidates for this surgery. 病人 with osteoporosis may not have strong enough bone to support a disc replacement. 基于一系列的测试, your doctor will determine if artificial disc replacement surgery is an option for surgery and the most effective treatment for your condition.

人工椎间盘置换术前, your doctor will discuss the procedure with you in detail, 回答你可能有的任何问题. Your doctor will also inform you of any special requirements that need to be completed before your surgery.

过程

尽管椎间盘置换术在美国相对较新.S., artificial discs have been implanted successfully in Europe and South Africa for many years. Currently, there is one disc replacement that has been approved by the FDA for implantation in the U.S., although there are several others that are being studied and are awaiting FDA approval.

During the procedure, the degenerated disc is removed and any collapse of the disc is restored. 然后植入人工椎间盘. This is an inpatient procedure performed with general anesthesia and requires two to three days in the hospital. 手术从脊柱前部进行, 这是, 通过腹部, and major internal structures must be moved to the side during surgery to allow safe implantation of the device.

并发症

就像任何需要全身麻醉的手术一样, there are some risks associated with artificial disc replacement. 这些可能包括:

• 出血
• 神经损伤
• 感染
• 对人工椎间盘材料的敏感性
• 阀瓣部件破损或磨损
• 种植体脱位
• Damage to the vertebra to which the disc replacement is applied
• 未能按照程序进行改进

Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you before surgery.

复苏

Most patients return to regular daily activities between six and eight weeks after disc replacement surgery. Rehabilitation may include a self-directed exercise program, such as walking and stretching for the first four weeks after surgery. After this period, a strengthening program may also be recommended. Resuming sports and other physical activities will be discussed with your doctor.

Most patients are able to function at home without extra assistance. 然而, it is recommended that you prepare your home and meals in advance for the first few days after returning home from the hospital. 病人 may take showers five to seven days after surgery and a shower stool is recommended.

后续

通常, patients are seen at four to six weeks following disc replacement surgery and then at three months, 六个月和一年. 第一年之后, patients are seen once every year or two for life to ensure that the implant is functioning properly and has not worn out or migrated.