Generally it is done through a small incision in the neck. It is not much longer than a 1-2 inches incision. Normally, you will feel some soreness in swallowing for a day or two, but the incisional pain quickly gets better because no major structures are cut other than the skin and a very thin muscle underneath the skin. All the dissection is carried out by following normal tissue plane, in a fashion we call blunt dissection. It is actually a very pretty operation for a surgeon to carry out because it is basically bloodless and we do not violate or injury the normal tissues.

After surgery most patients usually experience relief of their arm symptoms and their neck pain as well. However, we know from all the FDA studies that the patients will quickly improve and will continue to do well for as long as we have been following them, and now up to ten years. Right after surgery the patient will be placed in a soft collar and then are normally discharged within 24 hours, in some cases it may be the same day, or may spend the day overnight. Generally the soft collar is worn to protect the wound.

After the first visit at two weeks, the patient will start some general physical therapy. Because the disc replacement depends on the bone attaching to the prosthesis, the only restrictions we give the patient are to avoid hyperextension or looking up the ceiling and no impact loading such as running for the first 6 to 12 weeks, and certainly, we like the patient to lift no more than 10 pounds for the first 2 weeks. After the disc is attached to the vertebral bodies, your doctor may release you to full activities, and in general, we wait for the 3 month mark before we allow people to go back to sporting activities. One can certainly carry on normal activities from the time they leave the hospital to the 3 month mark.