Before artificial discs, most often a patient would get an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). In this fusion surgery, the doctor removes the unhealthy disc. The empty disc space is filled with a bone spacer or plastic implant. The implant helps match the disc height to the levels above and below. Restoring the disc height can help remove pressure on the nerves and/or spinal cord. Then, a metal plate with screws is placed on the front of the neck.

The plate helps to keep the spacer in place and stops movement at that level. This helps new bone grow between the vertebrae (fusion).

Illustrated diagram of back of the neck with a metal plate and bone spacers.

Cervical Disc Replacement with Mobi-C

In a surgery with the Mobi-C Cervical Disc, the unhealthy disc is removed, but instead of a bone spacer or plastic implant along with a plate and screws, a Mobi-C is implanted into the disc space. Where a fusion procedure is intended to eliminate motion at the surgery levels, the goal of a surgery with Mobi-C is to allow motion at those levels.

Both fusion and Mobi-C artificial disc surgery:

  • Replace the damaged disc.
  • Try to match a healthy disc height to help un-trap any nerves.

Only the Mobi-C implant:

  • Tries to maintain neck movement.
  • Fits entirely within the disc space.

Illustrated diagram of back of the neck with Mobi-C.

For more information, contact Upper Bucks Orthopaedics at Grand View Health at 215-257-3700 or visit cervicaldisc.com