Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery in India-Benefits, Risks and Costs.A safe procedure of artificial disc replacement surgery:

The goal of the Artificial Disc Surgery is to restore the intervertebral disc height andneuroforaminal height while restoring physiologic motion (similar to that of a healthydisc) in that segment of the spine. The surgery requires complete removal of theunhealthy disc in order to implant the new artificial disc.

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The Artificial Disc surgery is approached from the front, with a relatively smallincision in the abdomen (usually below the belly button).

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The abdominal organs are then gently moved to the side so that the surgeon canvisualize the spine while protecting important anatomic structures. This part of thesurgery is usually done by a general surgeon or vascular surgeon with theappropriate skills.

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The spine surgeon then removes the patient’s collapsed, degenerated disc.

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The Artificial Disc is then implanted - first the two endplates, then the core in themiddle, using specialized instruments. The two endplates (made of a cobaltchromium alloy) are pressed into the vertebrae above and below the disc space,and teeth along the border of the endplate grip the vertebral bone. A polyethylenecore is then placed between the endplates

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The artificial disc is designed to be held in place by the spinal ligaments and theremaining part of the annulus of the disc as well as the compressive force of thespine. Bending X-rays of patients after the surgery show that the motion of theartificial disc (flexion, extension, side bending and rotation) can closelyapproximate the normal motion of a healthy disc.

What does an artificial disc consist of?

The artificial disc consists of two end-plates made of a vacucast-cobalt-chrome-molybden-alloy and a core, made of high-molecular low-pressure polyethylene.Contingent to constant pressure between the vertebral bodies, all three parts of theartificial disc remain solidly in position and in relation to one another. A stable fixation of the end-plates is achieved, without use of cement, by means of anchor-cogs and a bio-active coating with a slightly structured surface

What Are the Potential Benefits and Risks of Disc Replacement Surgery?

There are potential benefits and risks of disc replacement surgery with the Artificial DiscSurgery..

Potential Benefits

of Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

Most importantly, when fusion surgery is performed, although your pain symptoms maygo away, the vertebrae surrounding the disc space are immobilized and therefore typicallylimit flexibility in that area of the spine. Laboratory testing shows that the Artificial Discdesign allows your spine to move. In the clinical study, patients were observed to havemotion between 0 and 21 degrees while bending forward and backward.Another benefit to disc replacement surgery with the Artificial Disc is that no bone graftis required. Often times with spinal fusion surgery, the bone graft used to pack the discspace is bone that the surgeon has to remove from the patient's hip. This means that the patient ends up having two incisions that must heal, as well as pain in the back and hipduring recovery from the surgery.

Potential Risks of

Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery:

As with any surgery, there are some possible complications that can occur when you havedisc replacement surgery with the Artificial Disc. Complications can occur singly or incombination and may include:Allergic reaction to the implant materialsBladder problemsBleeding, which may require a blood transfusionDeathImplants that bend, break, loosen or moveInfectionPain or discomfortParalysisSide effects from anesthesiaSlow movement of the intestinesSpinal cord or nerve damageSpinal fluid leakageThe need for additional surgeryTears of the dura (a layer of tissue covering the spinal cord)Problems with your blood vessels other than bleedingIncision problems because artificial disc replacement is a major surgery in and aroundthe spine and major vascular structures, there is also a risk of death or paralysis. Inaddition, as with any type of spine fusion surgery for chronic low back pain there is a risk that the patient will still have low back pain after the surgery.All of the above risks can be substantially mitigated by ensuring the diagnosis is accurate,the patient is an appropriate candidate for the surgery, and the spine surgeon isappropriately trained and experienced in doing the CHARITÉ Artificial Disc procedure.Finally, in addition to the known risks listed above, there are also unknown risks due

Cost OF Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery:

Since artificial disc surgery it is still a relatively new procedure in India with a certainlevel of risks. For one, patients must find surgeons who are appropriately trained. Themaker of the artificial disc, another factor to consider is cost and reimbursement. Typicalcost for artificial disc replacement surgery ranges from $35,000-$45,000, and manyinsurance companies will only provide partial coverage, or even no coverage, since theystill consider the surgery experimental. And finally, patients need to be aware that likeany new medical technology, artificial disc surgery carries with it a certain level of unknown technical risks.

What Should be Expected after the Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery?

After your surgery with the Artificial Disc, it is important that you follow your surgeon'sinstructions for recovery. Make sure you get and keep your surgeon's name and telephonenumber.In most cases, immediately after surgery, your heart and lung function will continue to bemonitored, and your doctor will prescribe medicines to control pain and nausea. Theaverage hospital stay for disc replacement surgery patients in the study used to evaluatethe Artificial Disc was about four days. A nurse will show you how to care for your wound before you are sent home, and your doctor will discuss a program to graduallyincrease your activity. It is possible that you will be asked to wear a back brace or elastic bandage to support your abdominal muscles after surgery

Artificial Disc Surgery in India:

Now, getting the Artificial Disc Surgery in India could be highly beneficial due to highlyreduced costs and extremely good medical care available. India offers a wide range of specialized services at less than one-fifth of the cost in developed countries which isstrengthening medical tourism industry,"Healthcare facilities being provided in some of the hospitals are on par with that being provided in developed nations that too at one-fifth of the price. "It will help over as patients avail these servicesIndia the land of natural beauty and spiritual wisdom has always been a great attractionfor tourists all over the world. The unimaginable diversity in its natural settings that rangefrom the Himalayan peaks to the deserts of Rajasthan and to the ever-flowing Ganges candefinitely be a dream experience for anyone. The sandy beaches and the multitude of historical monuments are just to mention a few more.