A staggering 65 million Americans report back pain each year, with 16 million adults suffering from chronic back pain at a level that impacts their ability to participate in activities they enjoy and live a thriving life.
As an added challenge, not every specialist has the skill and experience necessary to accurately diagnose and treat spinal conditions, providing lasting relief and restoring mobility. Luckily for residents of St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. John H. Peloza, is accepting patients at his leading-edge spinal surgery clinic in Chesterfield. If you struggle to turn your head, find a restful sleeping position, or even to sit for long periods comfortably, Dr. Peloza and his highly-trained team are here to perform a comprehensive evaluation, determine an accurate diagnosis for your unique case, implement a highly individualized treatment plan, and get you back to living the pain-free life you deserve. Dr. Peloza is at the forefront of his field, providing advanced surgical interventions designed to eliminate pain, optimize spinal health, and restore mobility, such as artificial disc replacement (ADR). ADR is a surgical procedure that removes broken or protruding discs in your spine and replaces them with prosthetic models. You might be a candidate for ADR if your back pain continues to interfere with your daily life.
Dr. Peloza: Top Spine
Surgeon in St. Louis
Since 1996, Dr. Peloza has been leading the way in helping patients overcome their neck and back pain, specializing in spine surgeries that protect the range of motion of his patients. Dr. Peloza has helped develop and launch several technologies and led multiple clinical trials. He has been named one of the Best Doctors In America every year since 2001 and is ranked as one of the 50 best spine surgeons in the country.
Dr. Peloza stands out as a leader in his field. When you meet with him to discuss your back pain, you can feel confident that he will work to develop a comprehensive, customized treatment plan that reflects your unique case.
LEARN MOREWhat is ADR?
Your spine is made up of 24 vertebrae that stack on top of each other. These bones work together to help you move, bend, twist, jump, and navigate the world. Between each vertebra is a spinal disc that works like a cushion or shock absorber, preventing pain. When these discs break or wear out – which happens naturally as you age – they can get moved out of place. This causes back pain as your vertebrae can hit each other or the disc is pushed into your nerve canal.
ADR addresses these broken or misplaced discs. Dr. Peloza will remove the damaged disc and replace it with an artificial model. This will address the source of your pain while preserving your range of motion.
Who is a Candidate for
Artificial Disc
Replacement Surgery?
Dr. Peloza wants to ensure you have the best possible outcome of living a pain-free life. This is why they will ask questions about your overall health before approving you for ADR.
A candidate for this operation will be in good physical health, which means they don’t smoke, aren’t overweight, and don’t have other underlying medical conditions that could affect the recovery process.
Even if you need to work on your health before the operation, it’s worth meeting with Dr. Peloza to talk about ADR. He can put you on a treatment plan to address your pain levels so you can work towards surgery.
What Symptoms Would
Benefit from ADR?
Most people meet with Dr. Peloza because they are in pain. However, there are multiple symptoms associated with disc protrusions or deterioration. Here are a few symptoms ADR can treat:
Chronic pain caused by broken or protruding discs. This can range from dull aches to sudden shooting pains.
Reduced range of motion caused by pain. For example, losing your ability to turn your head comfortably.
Numbness or tingling in your arms that is associated with neck pain or your legs that is associated with lower back pain.
Fatigue or headaches caused by the pain.
When the discs between your vertebrae push into your nerve canal, your whole body is affected, which is why back or neck pain can feel so debilitating.
The Benefits of
Artificial Disc
Replacement Surgery
There are several benefits of choosing ADR to address your back pain. Here are a few reasons why your doctor might recommend this operation.
This is a permanent solution to your discomfort rather than simply treating the symptoms.
ADR protects your range of motion so you can enjoy your favorite activities again.
ADR is usually a better alternative to spinal fusion, which limits your ability to move.
This is an outpatient procedure so you won’t have to spend the night in the hospital or recover in a medical facility.
Dr. Peloza and other spinal surgeons continue to invest in ADR because of how effective it is. More patients each year can treat their back pain and resume their favorite activities with the help of this operation.
Types Of Artificial Disc
Replacement
ADR can be performed on almost any disc in your spine. However, Dr. Peloza will specify whether you are a candidate for cervical or lumbar disc replacement.
Cervical disc replacement addresses pain in the neck and upper back. During the operation, Dr. Peloza will create an incision in your neck to avoid your nerve canal. The incision is around an inch long and will have minimal scarring. Lumbar disc replacement treats pain in your lower back. Dr. Peloza will create an incision in your abdomen to reach your spine.
Regardless of whether you need cervical or lumbar surgery, your doctor can replace one or multiple discs as needed. If Dr. Peloza needs to remove two discs, for example, it is considered a two-level disc replacement.
In-Depth Review of the Artificial Disc Replacement Procedure Offered in St. Louis
Dr. Peloza wants you to feel comfortable in his office and confident in your choice to undergo ADR. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need about the preparation, operation, and recovery process. Here’s what you need to know about ADR surgery.
Preparing for Surgery
The process of ADR starts well before you check in for your operation. You will work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan ahead of the operation. This could range from non-invasive treatment options like physical therapy to pain management through medication or epidural injections.
Dr. Peloza might also ask you to take up low-intensity exercises like swimming or cycling to improve your overall health. Dr. Peloza will also give you instructions for the hours before the operation. They will include fasting guidelines, medication instructions, and processes for arriving and leaving the clinic. You will not be able to drive after the operation, so you need a caretaker to pick you up and help you for a few days at home.
During the operation, you will be under general anesthesia the whole time, which means you will sleep through the operation. This entire process usually takes an hour. After the operation, you will be moved to a recovery room where you will wake up and rest before returning home.
Disc Replacement vs.
Spinal Fusion
ADR is currently the most advanced option for treating broken spinal discs, but it isn’t the only one. For decades before the development of ADR, doctors relied on spinal fusion to address broken discs. With this option, the doctor removed the broken disc and then fused the vertebrae to prevent them from damaging each other.
While fusion can be an effective way to treat pain, it also reduces the patient’s range of motion. Think of how your vertebrae move when you bend your neck to look down at the floor. With fusion, this motion becomes significantly harder.
There are times when Dr. Peloza might recommend fusion to a patient instead of ADR. However, advancements in disc replacement mean this procedure is viable for more patients and a better option in most cases.
Success Rate of ADR
ADR is a surgical option with a high success rate. In one collection of studies that reviewed the results of 946 patients, satisfaction rates ranged from up to 93%.
ADR will likely last 70 years or the rest of your life. Some simulations found that artificial discs potentially last 100 years.
Patient satisfaction is incredibly important to Dr. Peloza. This is why he has a detailed process to determine the best possible candidates for this operation. He wants to make sure that you have a high chance of recovering fully and living without pain. You are in the best hands in St. Louis when you meet with him.
Other Specialties
Along with ADR and spinal fusion, Dr. Peloza can address a wide variety of back problems. He is skilled at performing all forms of spinal surgery, which can address herniated discs, pinched nerves, and other sources of discomfort. Dr. Peloza can also recommend a variety of motion-preserving procedures and options that allow you to continue your favorite activities.
Each patient who visits Dr. Peloza receives a specialized treatment plan that helps them move forward to good back and neck health. You can feel confident that you are making the right choice for your spinal needs.
Our Locations in St. Louis
for an Artificial Disc
Replacement Surgery
Meet with Dr. John Peloza at his St. Louis office at 14825 N Outer 40 Rd Suite 310, Chesterfield, Missouri. Dr. Peloza will never rush you or pressure you to make a decision. He wants you to feel confident when starting a treatment plan to improve your spinal health, whether this involves a series of physical therapy stretches for now or the first steps toward ADR.
Request a consultation today and see why Dr. John Peloza is considered a leading spinal surgeon in St. Louis.
Your life awaits. Schedule your consultation at one of our premier locations today.
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