I work hard to stay up to date with the most advanced treatments in spine procedures. Earlier this year I became one of a handful of doctors around the country and the first in Illinois to begin using the Nuvasive PCM cervical disc replacement implant on patients at the Prairie Spine and Pain Institute.
The Nuvasive PCM cervical disc replacement implant received FDA approval in October 2012, but it was only recently released for public use. On January 6, 2013, I performed a cervical disc replacement procedure on one of my patients at Prairie SurgiCare, Prairie Spine and Pain Institute’s very own ambulatory surgical treatment facility.
I have been doing disc replacements for over five years and I performed the first cervical disc replacement in the Peoria region back in Aug. 2007. I also completed the first two level cervical disc replacement in the state. I wanted to implement this new disc replacement implant because it makes subtle advancements in previous disc replacements as it more closely mimics natural neck motion. There is also an advantage to the way the implant is fixed to the spine. It decreases the bone cuts that need to be performed, decreasing bleeding and increasing our ability to complete this procedure on an outpatient basis. In the past my disc replacement patients had to stay in the hospital at least one night. With this new implant my patient was able to walk out of Prairie SurgiCare that afternoon, just hours after surgery.
I am pleased with the results so far as my patients have already noticed an improvement in pain. The outcomes are at least as good as our previous ones, with the added benefit that the patient can return home the same day. I received training from Nuvasive in order to complete the surgery using the PCM cervical disc replacement implant, but the training is on going for the device. I plan to stay up to date on this device and any other new advancements coming into the market to provide my patients with the best care possible.
