Ventura, CA (1888PressRelease)
April 14, 2008 - Dr. Brian Rudin, last week performed a minimally invasive procedure to relieve a pinched nerve in a patient’s neck, which allowed the patient to go home just hours after awaking from anesthesia.
This new procedure, termed cervical artificial disc replacement, removes the worn or herniated disc from a patients neck, and replaces the disc with a mobile device, designed to restore a normal range of motion.
Patients with worn discs in their cervical spine, previously had only one option for surgical treatment. Cervical fusion has been the gold standard for this degenerative condition for decades. While the success rate is very high, patients receiving the new disc replacement have less post-operative pain, and return to work earlier.
“It is a very exciting time for spine surgeons.” Dr. Rudin comments that “this new device reduces the healing time and inconvenience of a traditional cervical fusion.” Dr. Rudin participated in the FDA trial during his training, and has performed countless disc replacement procedures in the cervical and lumbar spine.
The implant is called the ProDisc-C, has been used in Europe for almost a decade. Synthes, the maker of the device, recently received FDA clearance, and began training select surgeons. The ProDisc-C is made from materials that are virtually identical to traditional hip or knee replacements, therefore the safety profile has already been established.
Patients who suffer from neck and/or arm pain, due to worn out or ruptured discs are encouraged to ask their doctors about the procedure or visit www.VenturaSpine.net for more information.
