As a result of degenerative disc disease, medical conditions or spinal injury, many individuals each year are pursuing disc replacement surgery, according to the "Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery." Most view surgery as a permanent solution to their pain and back problems, but surgery is not a perfect solution for many issues. Understanding the potential complications that may arise after disc replacement surgery can help individuals make a more informed choice about their surgical options.
Osteolysis
Osteolysis is a rare but serious complication reported by the "Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery." Osteolysis occurs when the body, in recovering from the surgery, absorbs living bone tissue around the disc replacement. While in some cases this is a healthy function that clears away bone fragments, the body may begin to eat away at the healthy bone of the spine, causing severe complications and pain.
Symptoms of osteolysis include continued pain a year or more after disc replacement surgery or a weakening of overall spinal health. Treatment generally consists of revision surgery in the affected area, notes the "Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery."
Loss of Motion
According to the Regence Group, loss of motion is one of the more common disc replacement complications. The replaced disc and the surrounding area may fuse together, limiting flexibility and restraining range of motion in patients. Symptoms are noticeable in the months after surgery and continue over time. When this complication is present, additional therapy and revisionist or salvaging surgery will be necessary, notes the "Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques."
Weakening of the Spinal Column
A review of 27 sub-optimal outcomes of disc replacement surgery by the "Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques" found that in some cases the surgery had the opposite effect. Rather than enhancing the spine, the disc replacement irritated and weakened the spinal column, causing symptoms of severe pain. The "Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques" noted that multiple cases required follow-up surgeries as a treatment for these effects.
Impaired Ability for Spinal Evaluation
Patients with a disc replacement need regular evaluation to ensure there are no complications. Since artificial discs are often made of titanium or stainless steel, they can't be viewed with MRIs or other traditional diagnostic tools. This can make it more difficult for doctors to assess the condition of the replacement and surrounding area, which can lead to reduced care outcomes for all patients with disc replacements, according to the "Patient Safety in Surgery" study.
References
- Patient Safety In Surgery: Spine Imaging After Lumbar Disc Replacement: Pitfalls and Current Recommendations
- "Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques"; Complications of Artificial Disc Replacement: A Report of 27 Patients with the SB Charité Disc; 2003
- Regence: Artificial Intervetebral Disc
- "Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery"; Osteolysis and Complications Associated with Artificial Disc Replacement; 2004
