Scott G. Rainey, DO
Orthopedic Back & Neck Care
What is bi-level disc replacement and who is a candidate?
Disc replacement surgery refers to removing a disc from the cervical spine that is pinching either the spinal cord or a nerve and replacing that disc with a mobile joint. Traditionally, this type of problem—a disc herniation in the neck—is treated surgically by removing the disc and replacing it with a spacer that fuses the spine, which causes limited movement. By replacing the disc with a mobile joint instead, motion in the neck is maintained, and the patient recovers more quickly.
Patients with symptoms of arm pain, numbness or weakness resulting from a pinched nerve in the neck may be candidates for the procedure when nonoperative treatment has failed. Bi-level disc replacement refers to this procedure being performed at two different levels to address two different disc herniations; it is also performed as a one-level procedure.