ADR surgery is a surgical intervention that makes it possible to replace a degenerated lumbar or cervical disc with an artificial prosthesis in patients whose pain has not improved with conservative treatments.
It is an effective technique that reduces pain in 90% of cases, increasing the patient’s quality of life. In addition, 70% of patients are able to return to sports.
What does ADR surgery consist of?
The prostheses that are currently implanted are highly resistant to wear and have a biomechanical behavior very similar to that of the natural disc. This has allowed us to perform surgeries with greater safety and better clinical results. Find out more about the types of surgery and the surgical process below.
Who can undergo ADR surgery?
Most patients who have problems with disc degeneration are candidates for ADR surgery.
However, there are exceptional cases in which this intervention is not recommended:
- Elderly persons
- Under 20 years of age: in these cases, treatment is usually conservative.
- Pregnant women
- Patients who have suffered an accident
What steps should be followed before surgery?
Before performing lumbar or cervical ADR surgery, it is important to make a previous and detailed evaluation of each specific case. In some cases, additional tests are requested before surgery.
In any case, it is important that, if the patient has previously undergone treatment with the aim of reducing the pain derived from disc degeneration, he/she informs the surgeon before the surgery. It is also essential for the surgeon to have the patient’s medical history and whether he/she is currently undergoing any treatment.
How is the operation performed?
The patient is admitted to the hospital on the same day of the operation, fasting for at least 6 hours before the surgery. When the patient is transferred to the surgical area, the anesthesiologist will ask him/her a series of questions and he/she will sign a consent form in which the possible risks of anesthesia are stated.
Then the lumbar or cervical surgery begins, which usually lasts approximately one hour. At the end, the patient is awakened in the operating room and transferred to a resuscitation area, where he or she is monitored for about two hours. The patient usually remains in the hospital for approximately 3 days and discharge from the hospital varies from case to case.
Side effects of surgery
There are some side effects of ADR surgery, but they are very low. Among the main side effects are the following:
- Residual pain or new low back pain due to biomechanical stress of the interapophyseal joints.
- Sinking of lumbar disc prosthesis.
- Extrusion or anterior displacement of the implant.
- Retrograde ejaculation.
What is the recovery period like?
Recovery from ADR surgery is progressive and it is normal for the patient to feel discomfort. During the first week it is recommended that the patient walks and does not exert himself.
The patient is then scheduled for follow-up and, at this appointment, the wound is dressed and the suture strips are removed, since no external stitches are applied.
It is recommended that, during the first three months, the patient does not exert himself or adopt bad postures. After 3 months, you will be able to start swimming and running or cycling.
The return to work usually takes place after 3 weeks if it does not involve effort. If it requires efforts, the reincorporation will take place 6 weeks after the intervention. As an alternative treatment, rehabilitation sessions in a specialized center are recommended, as well as other indications that will depend on each specific case.