Why Artificial Disc replacement surgery is better than Spinal Fusion surgery?

Artificial Disc replacement surgery is the most innovative and modern treatment that is now available and artificial disc represents the best alternative to date for Spinal fusion surgery. American spine surgeons say that Artificial disc replacement is better than Spinal fusion surgery. Both procedures are performed on people whose discs in the neck get damaged. Report says that patients who received an artificial disc lost less motion in the neck and recovered faster than those who had a disc removed and the bones of the spine fused. Those who received the artificial disc either did equally as well or a little bit better than those who had fusion surgery. One of the most important findings stating that Artificial disc replacement surgery is better than Spinal fusion surgery was that people who got the artificial disc were able to preserve all of their motion. Fusion surgery causes two vertebrae to become locked in place, putting additional stress on discs above and below the fusion site, which restricts movement and can lead to further disc herniation.

There are several distinctions between Spinal fusion surgery and Artificial disc replacement surgery. Apart from the procedure and the results, there are significant differences in the recovery time, recovery extent, and many more. The most common complication in Spinal fusion is postoperative wound infection, occurring in about 1-5% of cases. The risk of a postoperative infection becomes higher when metallic fixation is used. The risk is also higher in diabetic and overweight patients. Artificial disc replacement has been developed as an alternative to Spinal fusion, with the goal of pain reduction or elimination, while still allowing motion throughout the spine. Another possible reason proving that Artificial Disc replacement surgery is better than Spinal fusion surgery is the prevention of premature breakdown in adjacent levels of the spine, a potential risk in fusion surgeries.

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