Mobi-C® Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement | The NeuroMedical Center

Surgical Solution for Degenerative or damaged Cervical Discs

It can be a real pain in the neck to have a problem with a herniated disc, irritated spinal cord, or impinged nerves.  Damage to one of your cervical discs could be to blame. 

Mobi-C® is an innovative procedure that replaces a degenerative or damaged spinal disc with an implant designed to preserve motion in your neck and relieve the pain of compressed nerves in the cervical spine.

Mobi C Artificial disc replacement surgery at The NeuroMedical Center

Understanding Your Cervical Spine

The cervical spine has discs between each bone that provide cushioning for movements and body loads.  The discs and bones in a healthy neck allow bending from side-to-side and front-to-back, and turning left-to-right.  Disc problems can start from over-use, an accident, or just the wear and tear of daily life.  Degenerative changes in the discs may result in damage that can cause pain.  When a disc degenerates it can have tears or cracks that lose water, which cause it to become thinner and provide less padding to absorb movement.  Degenerated discs can also bulge (herniate) and pinch the spinal cord or nerves, which causes loss of feeling, weakness, pain, or tingling down the arms and hands.

How Mobi-C® Works

Mobi-C® is designed to replicate the natural motion of the cervical spine.  Mobi-C’s mobile core slides and rotates inside the disc, self-adjusting to the patient’s cervical spine’s movements. This means that Mobi-C can react to the normal motion in the cervical spine.  In addition, the mobile core is designed to reduce the stresses between the implant and adjacent bone, eliminating the more invasive fixation features found in other cervical disc replacement devices.

Mobi-C® Procedure Overview

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

Removing the Disc
In preparation for the procedure, you are positioned on your back. You are anesthetized. The surgeon creates a small incision in the front of your neck. The structures within your neck are gently moved aside to create a path to your spine. The surgeon carefully removes the damaged disc. This leaves a space between the vertebrae.

Inserting the Implant
The implant has three parts: upper and lower metallic plates and a plastic core that sits between them. The plates have teeth designed to hold them securely in place. These teeth are pressed into the upper and lower vertebrae. Over time, bone will grow and attach to these plates.

Motion
Unlike a rigid neck fusion, which locks your neck in a fixed position, the implant is designed to allow you to move your neck more naturally. The components glide smoothly against each other. With the implant, you can turn your head and bend your neck forward, backward and side to side, just as you would with an undamaged disc.

End of Procedure and Aftercare
When the procedure is complete, the incision is closed. You may wear a neck support as you heal and your physician will likely recommend physical therapy. 

Mobi-C® Candidates

The Mobi-C® Cervical Disc:

  • Is for adults; the vertebrae must be mature (age range, 21-67 years).
  • Takes the place of one or two damaged cervical discs next to each other (contiguous or adjacent) from levels C3-C7.
  • Is for patients with arm pain and/or neurological symptoms such as weakness or numbness with or without neck pain. The damaged disc may be irritating the:
    • Spinal cord (myelopathy) or nerve roots (radiculopathy). This can cause a loss of feeling, loss of movement, pain, weakness, or tingling down the arm and possibly into the hands.
  • Disc damage needs to be proven by your doctor’s review of your CT, MRI, or X-ray images. Images of the neck should show at least one of the following:
    • Inner disc squeezing through the outer disc (herniated nucleus pulposus).
    • Degeneration of the spine from wear and tear (spondylosis). There may be boney growth (osteophytes) on a vertebra.
    • Loss of disc height compared to the levels above and below.
  • Is for people who have not responded to non-surgical care. Patient should either have:
    • Tried at least six weeks of other medical treatments such as physical therapy and medicine before having surgery; or
    • Have signs or symptoms that their condition is getting worse even with other medical treatments. 

Mobi-C® Patient Success Stories

If you are experiencing neck and arm pain or have been told you have degenerative or damaged cervical discs, request an appointment with a neurosurgeon at The NeuroMedical Center to see if Mobi-C® is right for you.