Cervical Total Disc Replacement (TDR) Procedure in St. Louis, MO
Cervical Total Disc Replacement (TDR)
What the procedure is
Cervical total disc replacement is a motion-preserving surgery that removes a damaged disc in the neck and replaces it with an artificial disc. Instead of joining two bones together (fusion), TDR is designed to keep the level moving, relieve pressure on the nerve or spinal cord, and maintain natural biomechanics. Most procedures are performed through a small incision at the front of the neck.
What it can help with
TDR aims to relieve arm pain, numbness, and weakness caused by a pinched nerve and reduce neck pain linked to a worn or herniated disc. By preserving motion at the treated level, it’s designed to reduce stress on nearby levels compared with fusion.
What it treats
- Symptomatic cervical disc herniation or degenerative disc disease
- Cervical radiculopathy (arm pain/tingling from nerve compression)
- Select cases of mild cervical myelopathy when decompression and motion preservation are appropriate
Who needs this treatment
You may be a candidate if symptoms persist despite conservative care (activity changes, therapy, medications, injections) or if you have progressive weakness or significant nerve compression on imaging. TDR is typically considered for one- or two-level disc disease without marked instability, severe facet arthritis, advanced osteoporosis, or deformity. During your consultation in St. Louis, we’ll review your history, exam, and MRI to confirm whether TDR—or another option—best fits your goals.
The benefits
- Motion preservation at the treated level (vs. eliminating movement with fusion)
- Direct nerve/spinal cord decompression to address arm pain and weakness
- Typically smaller incision and a straightforward recovery plan
- May reduce stress on adjacent levels compared with fusion
- Clear, stepwise return to normal activity with guidance
How we can help as a practice
At Orthopedic Spine Institute of St. Louis, we start with a conservative-first approach and reserve surgery for when it’s truly appropriate. If TDR is right for you, we’ll walk you through each step—pre-op preparation, the hospital or ASC plan, collar use (if needed), milestones for driving and desk work, and when to resume sport or heavier activity. We coordinate physical therapy when helpful, verify insurance benefits up front, and schedule timely follow-ups so you always know what’s next.
Ready to talk through your options?
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll route you to the right visit type. You can also call our St. Louis office or book online.
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