A 'Complete Turnabout' Spine Procedure
Relieves Indiana Man's Neck Pain
Ron White’s neck pain was once so excruciating that the 40-year-old auto assembler from Griffith, Ind., couldn’t even lift his baby son out of the crib.
But thanks to a revolutionary cervical disc replacement procedure performed by orthopedic and spinal surgeon George Miz, M.D., today White gives “horseback” rides to his energetic 18-month-old every chance he gets.
“It’s like a complete turnabout,” White explains. “This procedure has made my life so much better.”
The procedure White is referring to is cervical disc arthroplasty using the FDA-approved ProDisc-C Total Disc Replacement System. It is intended for patients suffering from cervical disc degeneration and herniation, which occurs when natural shock absorbers in the neck become worn and start to degenerate - resulting in pain and impaired mobility.
Dr. Miz became the first surgeon in the area to perform the innovative procedure last spring at Ingalls.
White’s neck problems began last fall when he injured himself at work, “ducking in and out of” the engine compartment of a car he was assembling.
“I felt a pop in my neck, and that’s when everything started,” he recalls.
His initial treatment included physical therapy, followed by cortisone injections and pain management. When they failed to bring relief, Dr. Miz recommended cervical disc arthroplasty.
“I wasn’t getting better,” he recalls. “I have a lot of faith in Dr. Miz so when he recommended surgery, I knew that was the best option.”
“Given Ron’s age, overall health, and his desire to maintain an active lifestyle, I recommended the ProDisc-C Total Disc Replacement as his best option,” Dr. Miz said.
How it Works:
ProDisc-C Total Disc Replacement surgery is an alternative to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF). In both procedures, the unhealthy disc is removed and the height at that level of the spine is restored to relieve pressure on the nerves and/or spinal cord.
In an ACDF procedure, once the unhealthy disc is removed, the bones are fixed in position with implants and bone graft. After surgery, the two bones grow together, eliminating all motion at that level of the spine.
With the ProDisc-C, the device is inserted into the disc space to restore the height at that level of the spine, while potentially allowing more normal range of motion of the neck. What’s more, the ProDisc-C doesn’t require a bone graft.
“The procedure is intended for patients who are at least 21 years of age, have only one unhealthy disc, and have had neck or arm pain for at least six weeks that has not responded to physical therapy or medication,” Dr. Miz added.
“Before surgery, my neck pain ranged from a sevenand- a-half to a nine most days,’ White added. “Now it’s a two, sometimes a three on a bad day. Dr. Miz is very pleased with the motion I have achieved.”
White returned to work in August, following several weeks of recuperation and physical therapy.
“I’ve recommended Dr. Miz to four people that I work with,” he added. “My life is so much better now. I’d definitely recommend Ingalls too. They took such great care of me.”
For more information, call Ingalls Care Connection at 1.800.221.2199.
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