Motion Preservation · Cervical Spine
Cervical Disc Replacement
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon — Long Beach & Torrance, CA
A motion-preserving alternative to fusion that removes the damaged cervical disc, relieves nerve compression, and replaces it with an artificial prosthesis — restoring disc height and maintaining the neck's natural range of motion.
- > 95%
- patient satisfaction at 10-year
- < 1
- night hospital stay
- < 6 wks
- average return to full activity
Overview
What is cervical disc replacement?
Cervical disc replacement (CDR) is a surgical procedure that replaces a degenerated or herniated disc in the neck with an articulating artificial implant. When a cervical disc fails, it can compress nerve roots or the spinal cord, producing neck pain, arm pain (radiculopathy), numbness, tingling, or weakness. CDR addresses the root cause by removing the diseased disc and restoring normal disc height, nerve space, and spinal alignment.
Unlike anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), CDR preserves motion at the treated level. The prosthetic disc replicates natural disc mechanics — allowing flexion, extension, and rotation — rather than permanently locking adjacent vertebrae together.
Who is a candidate?
Adults with cervical disc herniation or degenerative disc disease causing radiculopathy or myelopathy, after failing conservative care.
Levels treated
Most commonly between C3–C7. Single- and two-level CDR are both options depending on the extent of disc disease.
The implant
Modern CDR devices use a metal-on-polymer or metal-on-metal articulating surface that replicates natural disc motion in all planes.
FDA-approved
Multiple CDR devices carry FDA approval with long-term IDE clinical trial data supporting safety and efficacy as an alternative to fusion.
Benefits
Why choose motion preservation?
For appropriately selected patients, CDR offers clinically meaningful advantages over fusion — particularly for active individuals who want to protect their spine’s long-term health and maintain an unrestricted lifestyle.
Preserved range of motion
The treated level continues to move naturally, maintaining full biomechanical function in daily activity, sport, and work.
Reduced adjacent segment disease
By maintaining motion at the treated level, CDR reduces abnormal stress on adjacent discs — a known long-term consequence of fusion.
No bone graft required
CDR eliminates bone grafting, avoiding donor site pain, harvest complications, and the risk of pseudarthrosis (non-union).
Faster recovery
Without fusion consolidation to wait for, patients often return to light activity sooner and follow a more predictable recovery course.
Durable long-term outcomes
FDA IDE trials show CDR maintains superior or equivalent outcomes versus ACDF at 7- and 10-year follow-up across multiple device platforms.
Multi-level capability
CDR can be performed at one or two levels, offering a motion-preserving option where fusion has historically dominated.
CDR vs Fusion
Cervical disc replacement vs ACDF
Both procedures remove the damaged disc and decompress the nerves. The defining difference is what happens to that level of the spine afterward — and how that shapes your health over the decades ahead.
Dr. Ortega’s preference for eligible patients
Cervical Disc Replacement
- Preserves motion at the treated level
- Lower adjacent segment disease at 10 years
- No bone graft → no pseudarthrosis risk
- Faster return to unrestricted activity
- Performable at 1–2 levels
- Requires intact facet joints and endplates
- Not indicated in spondylosis or instability
Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion
- 50+ year established clinical track record
- Applicable across a broader range of pathology
- Better suited for instability or deformity
- Permanently eliminates motion
- Higher adjacent segment disease rates
- Fusion consolidation takes 3–6 months
- Risk of pseudarthrosis, especially multilevel
The right choice depends on your anatomy, degree of spondylosis, and the levels involved. Dr. Ortega reviews your imaging carefully to recommend the approach most likely to deliver lasting relief — and protect the segments above and below for years to come.
Recovery
What to expect after cervical disc replacement
CDR recovery is often more straightforward than patients anticipate. Because there is no fusion to wait for, recovery is driven by soft tissue healing and neurological improvement — not bone consolidation. Most patients are surprised by how quickly they feel relief from their arm and neck symptoms.
Same-day or 1-night stay
CDR is performed under general anesthesia through a small anterior incision in the neck. Many patients are discharged the same day or after one overnight stay.
Early recovery at home
Light walking begins immediately. Arm and neck pain typically starts to improve within days as nerve compression is relieved. A soft collar may be worn for comfort.
Gradual return to activity
Driving and light desk work typically resume at 2–4 weeks. Physical therapy begins to restore cervical strength and range of motion. Most patients notice significant functional improvement by this stage.
Full return to activity
The majority of patients return to unrestricted occupational and recreational activity within 6–12 weeks. Athletes and active patients often reach sport-specific milestones within this window.
Durable relief, natural motion
The prosthetic disc is designed for a lifetime of use. Long-term follow-up at 7 and 10 years shows sustained neurological improvement and maintained segmental motion at the implanted level.