Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement in Gainesville and Atlanta

Relieving Nerve Pressure While Preserving Neck Movement

When a damaged disc in the neck is pinching a nerve or pressing on the spinal cord, a cervical disc replacement can often correct the problem while keeping your neck moving naturally at that level.

What Is a Cervical Disc Replacement?

A cervical disc replacement, also called cervical arthroplasty or total disc replacement, removes a damaged disc in the neck and replaces it with an artificial disc designed to move like a healthy one. Like an ACDF, the surgery is done from the front of the neck and removes everything pressing on the nerves or spinal cord. The difference is what goes back in the space: instead of a spacer that lets the bones fuse together, an artificial disc preserves motion.

Illustration of two prodisc C artificial discs placed at two levels of the neck, with a close-up of the implant — Image: prodisc C Vivo and prodisc C SK, courtesy of Centinel Spine

Dr. Grunch uses the prodisc C family of artificial discs from Centinel Spine, one of the most studied cervical disc replacements in the world. The implant has two smooth metal endplates that attach to the vertebrae above and below, with a medical-grade plastic core that allows the neck to bend and turn. Because the prodisc C portfolio comes in several designs and sizes, Dr. Grunch can match the disc to your anatomy.

Cervical disc replacement is one of Dr. Grunch’s signature procedures.

Why prodisc C? Video courtesy of Centinel Spine.

Who Is a Candidate?

You may be a candidate for cervical disc replacement if you have:

Arm pain, numbness or weakness from a pinched nerve (cervical radiculopathy), or spinal cord compression (cervical myelopathy), from one or two damaged discs between C3 and C7
Symptoms that haven’t improved with conservative treatment, or nerve problems that call for earlier treatment
Good bone strength and a stable neck that still moves well at the affected level

Disc replacement may not be the best choice if you have significant arthritis in the facet joints at the back of the neck, osteoporosis, instability, severe disc collapse, or compression that comes mainly from behind the spinal cord. In those cases, an ACDF or a posterior surgery may be better. Dr. Grunch reviews your symptoms, exam and imaging to decide whether disc replacement is right for you.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have sudden weakness in your arms or legs, sudden trouble walking, or new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels.

Treatments to Try First

Physical therapy: neck and upper back strengthening, posture work and traction
Medications: anti-inflammatory medications, short courses of oral steroids or nerve pain medications
Injections: cervical epidural steroid injections or nerve root blocks

When these don’t bring lasting relief, or there is weakness or spinal cord compression, surgery can often correct the problem.

How a Cervical Disc Replacement Is Done

Anesthesia: You’ll be fully asleep, lying on your back.
A small incision: Dr. Grunch makes a small horizontal incision in a natural skin crease on the front of the neck.
Gentle access: The windpipe and esophagus are gently moved aside through a natural space between the muscles.
Removing the disc: Using a microscope, the damaged disc is removed along with any bone spurs or fragments pressing on the nerves or spinal cord.
Placing the artificial disc: Using live X-ray, the space is carefully prepared and sized, and the artificial disc is placed precisely between the vertebrae.
Closing: The incision is closed with dissolvable stitches and skin glue.

X-ray of the neck showing artificial discs at two levels, with the prodisc C Vivo and prodisc C SK implants — Image: two-level cervical disc replacement, courtesy of Centinel Spine

For a closer look, this surgical technique animation shows each step of placing a prodisc C artificial disc. It includes surgical detail:

prodisc C surgical technique animation. Video courtesy of Centinel Spine.

Benefits and Risks

Benefits

Relief of arm pain and protection of the spinal cord, comparable to fusion
Preserves natural motion at the treated level
May lower stress on neighboring discs compared with a fusion
No need for bone to heal, so many patients return to activity sooner

Risks

Sore throat, trouble swallowing or hoarseness, which usually improve over several weeks
Infection or bleeding
Extra bone forming around the implant (heterotopic ossification), which can reduce motion; an anti-inflammatory medication is prescribed after surgery to help prevent it
Implant movement, wear or the need for another surgery, which is uncommon
Nerve or spinal cord injury, which is rare
Risks related to anesthesia

Why Choose Dr. Betsy Grunch for Your Cervical Disc Replacement

Duke-trained: Dr. Grunch completed her neurosurgical residency and a spine research fellowship at Duke University School of Medicine, one of the top neurosurgery programs in the country, where she received the Spine Young Investigator Award.
Motion-preservation expertise: Cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacement are among her signature procedures, so fusion isn’t your only option.
Experience you can count on: She has been in practice since 2013 and performs 400 to 600 surgeries a year, more than 5,000 procedures over her career.
The right disc for you: She offers the prodisc C portfolio, which lets her match the implant to your anatomy, and performs ACDF when fusion is the better choice.
Second opinions and revisions: She regularly sees patients who had spine surgery elsewhere and want a second opinion or need a revision.
A teacher at heart: As “Ladyspinedoc,” she is known for explaining spine conditions clearly. You’ll leave your visit understanding your imaging and every option in front of you.

Hear from a patient who returned to professional golf after a prodisc C cervical disc replacement:

prodisc patient story: six-time PGA Tour winner Rory Sabbatini. Video courtesy of Centinel Spine.

What to Expect

Before surgery

You’ll meet with Dr. Grunch or one of her physician assistants to review your imaging, your exam and your goals, and to decide together whether a cervical disc replacement is right for you. Our team will coordinate any pre-operative testing, review your medications (including blood thinners you may need to pause) and walk you through the day of surgery so nothing is a surprise. If you smoke or use nicotine, stopping before surgery lowers the risk of complications.

Procedure day

The surgery usually takes one to two hours. Many patients go home the same day, and some stay one night in the hospital. You’ll be up and walking the day of surgery.

Recovery timeline

First two weeks: Arm pain often improves quickly. A sore throat, trouble swallowing and pain between the shoulder blades are common and improve over several weeks. Gentle neck movement is encouraged.
Two to six weeks: Many people return to desk work. Restrictions on lifting and overhead work continue for about six weeks.
Four to six weeks: Your follow-up visit with Dr. Grunch.
Six weeks and beyond: Most patients return to normal activities. Numbness and strength can keep improving for several months.

Every patient heals differently. Your exact timeline will depend on your symptoms, your job and your overall health.

This video walks through what recovery looks like after a cervical total disc replacement:

Recovery after cervical total disc replacement. Video courtesy of Centinel Spine.

Watch Dr. Grunch’s post-op care instructions:

Video: Post-op Care for Cervical Disc Replacement, from Dr. Grunch on her Ladyspinedoc channel (YouTube)

Caring for yourself at home

Swallowing and diet: A sore throat and some pain with swallowing are normal and improve over several weeks. Eat soft foods for the first week, such as soups, oatmeal and mashed potatoes, and avoid breads and tough meats until swallowing is comfortable.
Expected aches: Pain between the shoulder blades is common and improves over several weeks.
Walking: Walk 30 to 60 minutes a day, broken into 10- to 15-minute sessions.
Restrictions for about six weeks: No lifting more than 10 pounds and no working above shoulder level. That includes vacuuming, laundry, golf, yard work and lifting young children or grandchildren.
Your incision: You may shower, gently cleansing and patting dry without scrubbing. Don’t use ointments or creams, and don’t submerge your neck in a bath, hot tub or pool for six weeks.
Medications: You’ll take meloxicam (Mobic), an anti-inflammatory medication, for the first 30 days to help prevent extra bone from forming around the implant. Pain medication and a muscle relaxer are usually needed for four to six weeks, and you may wean off sooner. Take pain medication with food and avoid alcohol while taking it. A daily stool softener helps prevent constipation. Blood thinners are held for 5 to 7 days after surgery until Dr. Grunch’s team tells you to restart them.
Driving: You may drive once you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication.
Follow-up: Your follow-up visit is about four to six weeks after surgery.

Call the office at 470-293-9800 if you have a fever over 101°F, redness, warmth or significant drainage from the incision, increased swelling that makes swallowing difficult, trouble swallowing food or liquids, calf pain or swelling, new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, or worsening neck or arm pain. Go to the emergency room or call 911 for neck swelling with trouble breathing, chest pain or shortness of breath.

Download your patient instructions

Print these sheets or save them to your phone so you have them before and after surgery:

You’ll find instructions for other procedures on our Patient Resources page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a disc replacement different from a fusion?

Both remove the damaged disc and relieve pressure on the nerves and spinal cord. A fusion joins two vertebrae so they no longer move. A disc replacement keeps that level moving, which may reduce stress on the discs above and below.

Can two levels be replaced?

Yes. Disc replacement can be done at one or two levels in the right patients. In some cases, Dr. Grunch may combine a disc replacement at one level with a fusion at another.

Why do I take Mobic after surgery?

After a disc replacement, the body sometimes forms extra bone around the implant, which can limit its motion. A 30-day course of meloxicam helps prevent this. This is different from a fusion, where anti-inflammatories are avoided.

How long does an artificial disc last?

Artificial discs are built to last for many years, and long-term studies of prodisc C have shown durable results. Dr. Grunch will follow you with periodic X-rays.

Will the implant set off metal detectors, and can I have an MRI?

The implant usually doesn’t set off airport metal detectors. Most artificial discs are MRI-conditional, so tell your doctors and the MRI team that you have one, and keep your implant card.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

If you’ve been told fusion is your only option, it may be worth a second look. Whether you need a treatment plan, a second opinion or a clear explanation of your imaging, Dr. Grunch and the Southern Neurosurgery team are here to help.

Call 470-293-9800 to schedule an appointment or contact us online.

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We see patients across metro Atlanta and North Georgia at our offices in Gainesville, Sandy Springs and South Atlanta (Riverdale). Find the office nearest you.

This page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace individualized care from a licensed physician. Please talk with your own doctor about your symptoms. If you have sudden weakness, trouble walking, or new bladder or bowel problems, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.