You’ll be taken to the operating theatre and made comfortable.
Your anaesthetist will insert a cannula into a vein for your anaesthetic, fluid and other drugs. You’ll also have a urinary catheter inserted. You’ll be positioned on your back for the surgery.
After the anaesthetic takes effect, your surgeon makes an incision either in the front of your neck (for cervical disc replacement) or near your belly button (for lumbar disc replacement).
After removing the diseased disc, your surgeon will choose the best disc replacement prosthesis. They’ll smooth off the surfaces of the vertebrae. After inserting metal plates into each of the vertebrae, they’ll wedge a polymer core in between them. The metal plates eventually bond with your vertebrae.
Following surgery, your surgeon closes the incision/s using staples or stitches.
Your surgery will take 2–4 hours, depending on how complex it is.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Information is provided by HCF in good faith for the convenience of members. It is not an endorsement or recommendation of any form of treatment nor is it a substitute for medical advice, and you should rely on the advice of your treating doctors in relation to all matters concerning your health. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, however HCF takes no responsibility for any injury, loss, damage or other consequences of the use of this information.