Dr. Trevor Carroll is the latest addition to the expert orthopedic care team at EmergeOrtho’s Triangle Region as a neck and back specialist. Dr. Carroll graduated from Denison University with honors and attended University of Toledo College of Medicine where he was awarded Most Outstanding Medical Student in Orthopedic Surgery. He then trained in Orthopaedic Surgery at Louisiana State University, Shreveport in northwest Louisiana. He obtained additional fellowship training in spinal surgery at University of California, Davis and Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Northern California. While in Sacramento, he worked at a busy level I Trauma center taking care of numerous spine pathologies under leading international spine surgeons. He learned advanced techniques in degenerative spine, trauma, tumors, complex spine surgery, and minimally invasive spinal surgery.
No one should have to be kept from doing the activities and routines they love due to neck pain. Many people who suffer from cervical disc disease can find themselves in this predicament making cervical disc replacement one promising procedure that has helped countless patients gain relief from their pain and discomfort.
One of the ways our board-certified orthopedic surgeons like Dr. Carroll helps patients gain relief from painful cervical spine symptoms is by performing artificial cervical disc replacement. The orthopedic spine surgeons at EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region are uniquely qualified for this kind of spine surgery.
What Is Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery?
The FDA approved cervical disc arthroplasty in the United States in 2007. Prior to artificial disc surgery, the spinal fusion approach was the most common procedure performed to alleviate neck and spine pain. Spinal fusion essentially binds together two or more vertebrae to solidify into one bone. And, while patients often experience relief from pain, the fusing of vertebrae ultimately restricts mobility. There is also concern that a fusion may not fully “take” or bind the vertebrae together. In addition, there is some evidence that fusion may accelerate degeneration of adjacent unfused discs.
Artificial discs better resemble the natural size and function of the natural discs. This makes artificial cervical disc replacement potentially a better option for patients who seek to eliminate pain but also want to maintain neck movement and flexibility and avoid the potential drawbacks of fusion.
At EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region, Dr. Carroll performs cervical disc replacements using:
Medtronic Prestige LP
The Medtronic Prestige LP, is an FDA-approved disc technology which is the first to be determined safe and effective for both one- and two-level procedures. Additionally, it is the first artificial disc on the US market to be proven statistically superior in overall success for both one- and two-level procedures.
The low profile Prestige LP Disc has a ball-and-trough design and moves in a range of motions, including bending, rotation, and translation. The disc is made of titanium ceramic composite which provides improved wear resistance in combination with the mechanical, biocompatible, and imaging properties of the base titanium alloy.
Are You a Candidate for Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery?
If you have been referred to a spine specialist or have been told you would benefit from cervical arthroplasty, it is likely because conservative treatment methods have failed to address your symptoms. Patients with cervical disc disease may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:
- Sensation of tingling or numbness in the arm or hand
- Weakness in the muscles of the shoulder, arm or hand
- Pain in the neck and arm
- Clumsiness or incoordination in the arms, hands or legs or clumsiness in gait (the way a person walks)
If these symptoms are severe and have not responded to non-surgical treatment methods, an artificial cervical disc replacement surgery may bring relief.
How Do You Choose a Cervical Spine Surgeon?
If you have been diagnosed with a cervical spine condition that has not responded favorably to conservative treatment methods, there are no better hands you could be in than those of the spine specialists at EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region.
At EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region, we have an entire team of orthopedic specialists specifically dedicated to treating conditions of the back, spine, and neck, performing highly-specialized procedures such as:
- Cervical disc replacement
- ACDF
- Cervical laminoplasty
- Cervical posterior spinal decompression and fusion
To learn more, schedule an appointment with Dr. Trevor Carroll now. Or, speak with an EmergeOrtho—Triangle team member at 919-220-5255.
