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The neck is vital for everyday function; comprised of bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, vessels, and the spinal cord. The cervical spine (C1-C7) protects the spinal cord and provides support for the skull. A disc between each vertebra helps cushion the bone from movement. Healthy vertebrae and discs allow the cervical spine to turn left, right, forward, backward, and side to side.
Cervical disc degeneration can cause the disc to lose water and, in turn, the padding between. This diminution results in loss of flexibility that creates cracks and tears in the outer layer. Disc degeneration can also cause disc herniation, loss of feeling or movement, painful nerve pinching, and weakness or tingling down the arm and hands.
Mobi-C was designed by a French surgeon, first implemented in 2004, and FDA approved in August of 2013. The device is an artificial disc for the neck composed of three essential parts; two metal plates commonly used in spinal surgery (cobalt, chromium and molybdenum) and a plastic insert between (made of polyethylene). This body-safe insert uses a flat bottom and round top design to assist in free and natural movement of the neck.
Mobi-C offers a unique solution in the world of disc replacement. Instead of screws, each metal plate has teeth which help hold the plates to the vertebrae. The outside plates are coated with hydroxyapatite, which helps the vertebrae to grow and attach to the metal plates for long term use. The Mobi-C is free to twist and slide from side to side and back to front with the help of the muscle and soft tissue.
Mobi-C is becoming a leading option due to patented Bone Sparing technology. Because it requires no screws for placement, the Mobi-C implant is a less invasive option for disc replacement than other popular procedures like fusion. Therefore, it eliminates bone chiseling which preserves vertebrae and allows for a more stable surface for the implant. Additionally, the Mobi-C can be inserted in one step, eliminating previous operative steps.
The Mobi-C implant is designed to relieve worn cervical disc. The unhealthy disc is removed and the Mobi-C is implanted into the disc space, whereas in a fusion procedure a bone spacer and implant with plate and screws are placed. Both the fusion and Mobi-C surgery replace the damaged disc and try to match a healthy disc, but ONLY the Mobi-C implant tries to maintain neck movement and fits entirely into the disc space. This makes Mobi-C implant a less invasive option. Additionally, there is a potential risk for increased adjacent level disc degeneration when selecting fusion due to limited movement. The Mobi-C implants’ screwless design helps avoid this issue; meaning range of motion and less wear.
In order for you to be selected for treatment with the Mobi-C, the doctor will need to see you for a personalized consultation. They will ask your medical history, for example; the type of job, past injuries, illnesses, activity level, alcohol/drug use, medications, and previous treatments. Once the doctor determines eligibility, they will choose the correct Mobi-C device size for your body, allowing for a perfect fit that will never move.
Make sure to follow your provider’s instructions. Avoiding heavy lifting, avoid bending your neck multiple times, and limit activity for a couple of weeks.
For more information about the disc replacement surgery we perform in the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, CA area please contact us at 855-SOMA-844 (855-766-2844).