Care services · Long Beach, CA

Cervical Disc Replacement in Long Beach, CA

Cervical disc replacement, also called cervical arthroplasty, relieves pressure on a pinched nerve or the spinal cord in the neck while keeping the segment mobile. It is the motion preserving alternative to anterior cervical fusion.

Cervical Disc Replacement in Long Beach, with patients welcome from across South Bay, Orange County and the greater Los Angeles area.

Book a consultation (562) 427-8119

Overview

What is cervical disc replacement?

Through a small incision at the front of the neck, Dr. Bhalla removes the damaged disc and any bone spurs pressing on the nerves. In its place he sets an artificial disc made of metal endplates and a polymer or metal core that glides like a healthy disc.

The approach uses natural planes between muscles, so the procedure is quick to recover from and the incision is usually hidden in a skin crease.

Book a consultation (562) 427-8119

Is it right for you

Who is a candidate?

Good candidates have arm symptoms or early cord compression from one or two discs, with healthy facet joints and no significant instability. Non surgical care such as therapy and injections is tried first in most cases.

Conditions treated

Cervical herniated disc
Cervical radiculopathy
Cervical myelopathy from a disc
Degenerative disc disease at one or two levels

Common symptoms

Pain radiating into the shoulder or arm
Numbness or tingling in the hand
Weakness in the arm or grip
Neck pain with arm symptoms

Near you

Cervical Disc Replacement in Long Beach, CA

Dr. Bhalla provides cervical disc replacement for people in Long Beach and the surrounding cities. Dr. Bhalla leads the Spine Center at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.

If you live in Signal Hill, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Orange County or anywhere nearby, a consultation is a short drive away.

Book a consultation

Patients come to us from

Long Beach
Signal Hill
Lakewood
Seal Beach
Los Alamitos
Cypress
Bellflower
Torrance
Huntington Beach
Carson

Not on the list? We see patients from across Southern California.

Benefits

What are the benefits?

Compared with fusion, disc replacement keeps you moving and protects the rest of your neck.

Keeps neck motion

The treated level continues to turn and bend naturally.

Less adjacent wear

Neighboring discs are spared the extra load a fusion creates.

No collar for months

Without bone healing to protect, a collar is brief or not needed.

Fast relief

Arm pain often eases immediately once the nerve is decompressed.

Recovery

How long is the recovery?

Most cervical disc replacements are done as outpatient surgery or with one night in hospital. Swallowing may feel slightly sore for a few days.

01/Same day
Walking and home
You are up within hours. Most patients go home the same or next day.
02/One to two weeks
Light activity
Desk work and driving usually resume. The incision is checked.
03/Six weeks
Full motion
Gentle therapy restores range of motion. Most activities are cleared.

Safety

Is it safe?

Cervical disc replacement has more than twenty years of clinical data, including large studies comparing it directly with fusion that show equal or better outcomes and fewer reoperations. Risks include temporary hoarseness or swallowing discomfort, infection and, rarely, implant issues.

Frequently asked questions

Disc replacement or fusion, which is better?

For a single or two level disc problem with healthy joints, replacement preserves motion and lowers the chance of surgery at the next level. Fusion remains the right choice when there is instability, significant arthritis or deformity. Dr. Bhalla walks through both with your imaging.

How long does the surgery take?

About one to two hours for one level.

Will I set off metal detectors?

Rarely. The implant is small. We provide a card describing it in case you are asked.

Can two levels be replaced at once?

Yes. Two level cervical disc replacement is approved and commonly performed when both discs are the source of symptoms.

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