At times an artificial disk replacement may seem indicated to help the patient to get well again. Thanks to progress in implant development modern artificial disk replacements are fitted ideally to the functional setting of the cervical spine and allow for natural movement – preserving by this means the mobility of the neck. Additionally their elasticity lets them work as shock absorbers just like their natural counterparts. This helps to prevent the adjacent sections of the spine from undue stresses.
Degeneration of spinal disks can lead to severe chronic or intermittent back pain with or without radiations into the legs. This pain can have considerable impact on daily life activities. Many patients with degenerative spine disease had disk prolapses in their previous medical history. Whereas on x-ray images disk degeneration will not be readily detectable, the degenerative structures can be clearly seen on magnetic resonance images.
