Intervertebral disc prosthesis of the cervical spine

Intervertebral disc prosthesis cervical spine

Degenerative (wear and tear) diseases of the Cervical spine are becoming more common. On the one hand, they occur as part of a natural aging process, but they can also arise from trauma or be favored by factors such as long working hours at the computer and lack of exercise.

Such degenerations of the Band washers (the cartilaginous parts between the 7 cervical vertebrae) can lead to pronounced discomfort, among other things Pain and numbness in the shoulder and neck areathat can radiate either up into the head or up to the arm and even the hands. Since this severely restricts the quality of life of those affected, they often seek help from a doctor as soon as possible.
The first attempt is usually to carry out conservative therapy, which, however, often does not have a satisfactory effect. While in such cases mostly earlier a stiffening of the spine (Spinal fusion) was recommended, today there is a greater tendency to use a Intervertebral disc prosthesis to use. Compared to the surgical stiffening of the spine, this is what introducing a disc prosthesis is for the patient safer procedures.

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Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
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The spine is difficult to treat. On the one hand it is exposed to high mechanical loads, on the other hand it has great mobility.

The treatment of the spine (e.g. herniated disc, facet syndrome, foramen stenosis, etc.) therefore requires a lot of experience.
I focus on a wide variety of diseases of the spine.
The aim of any treatment is treatment without surgery.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

You can find me in:

  • Lumedis - your orthopedic surgeon
    Kaiserstrasse 14
    60311 Frankfurt am Main

Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert

To that Spinal cord To protect yourself, surgical access is carried out at one Disc prosthesis operation always from the front using a 3 to 4 cm long skin incision.
The procedure usually takes about 1 to 2 hours and is carried out under general anesthetic.

First, through the incision the desired intervertebral disc removed (Discectomy). The space that has now been freed up is replaced by an implant that Intervertebral disc prosthesis, filled up.
This prosthesis usually consists of two metal plates with a layer of plastic between them. This ensures that the implant can, on the one hand, grow well and firmly together with the surrounding structures and, on the other hand, can withstand the extensive movements in the area of ​​the cervical spine. Since the thickness of the prosthesis is adapted to the intervertebral disc and has a certain deformability, the mobility of the neck should be improved after the operation run almost as naturally again can as before the disease.
If everything goes without complications, the patient can usually leave the hospital on the second day after the operation. First he has to a neck brace for about 6 weeks wear so as not to endanger the healing process. By the end of this time at the latest, everything should be well healed and the person affected can return to their normal everyday and professional life, although this is often possible while wearing the cervical collar.

The insertion of a disc prosthesis for symptomatic diseases of the cervical spine has been regarded as the treatment of first choice for several years because it involves a very high success rate (around 90%) goes along and only very little risk of complications having. Advantages over other possible procedures are also the Preservation of the natural range of motion of the neck and especially the rapid rehabilitation through the option of direct mobilization.