Cervical Disc Replacement in Northwest Indiana

What Is Cervical Disc Replacement?

Cervical disc replacement (also called cervical total disc replacement or cervical arthroplasty) removes a damaged or degenerated disc in the neck and replaces it with a mobile artificial disc implant. It is most often considered when a cervical disc herniation or degeneration is compressing a nerve and causing arm pain, numbness, or weakness that has not improved with conservative care.

The key difference from fusion is motion. A fusion stabilizes a level of the spine by locking it in place permanently. Disc replacement instead preserves motion at the treated segment, which may reduce the extra stress placed on the disc levels above and below it.

Dr. Tyndall performs the procedure through a small incision in the front of the neck. This anterior approach avoids cutting through the neck muscles, which helps reduce post-operative pain and speeds recovery. Many procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis in appropriate candidates.

Is It Right for Me?

Ideal candidates for cervical disc replacement typically:

Have a symptomatic damaged or degenerated disc at one or two levels of the cervical spine
Have not found lasting relief after at least six weeks of conservative treatment (physical therapy, medications, injections)
Do not have significant facet joint arthritis or spinal instability
Have adequate bone density to support the implant

Dr. Tyndall performs a thorough evaluation — including imaging studies and physical examination — to determine whether disc replacement, fusion, or continued conservative care is the right path for your specific condition.

The prodisc C Vivo Implant

Dr. Tyndall uses the prodisc C Vivo, a cervical artificial disc built on prodisc — one of the most studied disc replacement platforms in the world.

Fit to patient anatomy

An anatomically domed superior endplate shape designed for optimized implant positioning.

Immediate fixation

The anatomically-designed superior endplate with lateral spikes provides immediate fixation strength.

Anatomical footprint

A trapezoidal footprint designed to reduce intraoperative remodeling of the vertebra.

One-step insertion

The implant is inserted into the disc space in a single step.

Sized to your anatomy

18 size options — 6 footprints and 3 heights (5–7 mm) — to accommodate anatomical variation.

300K+

prodisc implantations worldwide over the last 35 years

590+

published papers studying the prodisc technology platform

Implant details per Centinel Spine’s published materials.

The Procedure and Recovery

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia through a small incision in the front of the neck. The damaged disc is removed, pressure on the compressed nerves is relieved, and the artificial disc is placed in a single step. Because the approach works between natural tissue planes rather than cutting muscle, most patients are surprised by how manageable the recovery is.

1 to 2 weeks: Walking and light daily activities are encouraged. Many patients return to desk work during this time.
4 to 6 weeks: Return to most normal activities including driving and exercise. Physical therapy may begin to restore strength and flexibility.
3 to 6 months: Full recovery for most patients, including return to strenuous activity. The implant continues to integrate with the surrounding bone.

Because disc replacement does not require waiting for bone to fuse, many patients experience a faster functional recovery compared to fusion. Dr. Tyndall provides detailed post-operative instructions and monitors your recovery closely.

Why Choose Dr. Tyndall for Cervical Disc Replacement

Pioneer in Fusion-Less Surgery
Dr. Tyndall is a leader in motion-preserving spine surgery and has worked directly with implant companies developing disc replacement technology

20+ Years of Experience
Board-certified spine surgeon with two decades of specialized expertise in advanced spinal procedures

Elite Training
NYU medical degree, Stanford residency, fellowship at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) — the nation's #1 orthopedic hospital

Technology Pioneer
First spine surgeon in Indiana to use computerized navigation for outpatient minimally invasive spine surgery

Outpatient Surgery
Pioneer in same-day spine surgery — many disc replacement patients go home hours after their procedure

Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute
Northwest Indiana's most preferred orthopedic practice

Cervical Disc Replacement FAQ

Is cervical disc replacement better than fusion?

They are different tools for different patients. Fusion locks the treated level in place permanently, while disc replacement preserves motion at that level, which may reduce the extra stress placed on the discs above and below. For the right candidate, disc replacement offers a faster functional recovery because there is no need to wait for bone to fuse. Some patients — for example those with significant facet joint arthritis or spinal instability — are better served by fusion. Dr. Tyndall evaluates each patient individually and recommends the option best suited to their anatomy and goals.

Am I a candidate for cervical disc replacement?

Ideal candidates typically have a symptomatic damaged or degenerated disc at one or two levels of the cervical spine, have failed conservative treatment for at least six weeks, do not have significant facet joint arthritis or spinal instability, and have adequate bone density. Dr. Tyndall performs a thorough evaluation including imaging studies and physical examination to determine whether cervical disc replacement is appropriate for you.

How long does recovery take after cervical disc replacement?

Many patients return to light activities and desk work within 1 to 2 weeks. Most normal activities, including driving and exercise, typically resume within 4 to 6 weeks, with full recovery over 3 to 6 months. Because there is no need to wait for bone to fuse, functional recovery is often faster than with fusion. Many procedures are performed on an outpatient basis.

Will I keep normal neck motion after disc replacement?

The implant is designed to preserve motion at the treated level. Most patients maintain a natural range of neck motion after recovery, which is the key difference from fusion, where the treated level no longer moves.

What if I have disc problems at more than one level?

Cervical disc replacement is typically performed at one or two levels. If more levels are involved, or if some levels are better suited to fusion, Dr. Tyndall may recommend a different plan, including hybrid procedures in select cases. Imaging and examination determine what is right for your specific anatomy.