Seeing us from Clovis
Central Valley Advanced Spine has one office, in Fresno, California. There is no Clovis location. For most people in Clovis the drive is about 15 to 20 minutes on Highway 168. That makes it practical to come in for each step: the first visit, any added imaging, the pre-surgery talk, surgery and the checkups after. The operation itself is done at Fresno Surgical Hospital, and we confirm your arrival time when the date is set.
How an artificial neck disc works
There is a disc between most of the bones in your neck. It absorbs load and lets you look up, down and side to side. When a disc wears out or bulges backward, it can press on a nerve root or the spinal cord. That can cause pain into the shoulder blade and arm, tingling, numbness or a weak hand.
During a disc replacement, the surgeon reaches the spine from the front of the neck through a short incision, takes out the damaged disc and bone spurs, and frees the nerves. An artificial disc made of metal, plastic or ceramic parts goes into the space. Unlike a fusion, which joins the two bones, the implant is built to move. Read our main cervical disc replacement page for how it compares with ACDF and the full list of risks.
Who may be a candidate
Adults with arm symptoms from one or two discs in the lower neck are the usual candidates, most often from a cervical herniated disc or disc wear with bone spurs that has not improved with nonsurgical care. It may not fit if the small joints at the back of your neck have strong arthritis, your bones are weak, your neck is unstable or more than two levels are involved.
Clovis has a large school district and a large hospital, and they are the city's two biggest employers. A lot of that work means long hours looking down: grading, reading charts, working at a keyboard. Other jobs in and around Clovis involve overhead reaching, lifting or long drives. Neck discs wear with age for nearly everyone, and posture at work is only one piece of the picture. We ask about your work so we can plan when and how you return to it.
Some signs deserve a prompt visit rather than a wait: a hand that keeps getting weaker, trouble with buttons or handwriting, or a feeling that your balance is off. These can point to pressure on the spinal cord itself, not just a nerve root, and they should be checked soon.
Visits from start to finish
- Consultation in FresnoAn exam of your arm strength, reflexes and feeling, and a review of your neck MRI.
- Extra imaging if neededBending x-rays or a CT scan to check motion and bone quality.
- SurgeryUnder general anesthesia. One level often takes one to two hours. Many patients go home the same day or the next.
- Follow-upVisits over the following months, with x-rays to check the implant position and motion.
Practical planning for Clovis patients
- Send your scans early. If your neck MRI was done at Clovis Community Medical Center or an outpatient center, ask for the images on a disc or through a secure link, along with the report.
- List your medicines. Blood thinners and some supplements need to be stopped before surgery. We will tell you which ones and when.
- Plan meals. Swallowing may feel tight or sore for days to a few weeks. Soups, yogurt and soft foods make it easier.
- Driving. You will need a ride home. Most people wait to drive until they are off opioid pain medicine and can turn their head to check traffic.
- Work. Many desk workers return in one to three weeks. Heavier work, including lifting at school or in a hospital, may take six weeks or more.
For the weeks after surgery, see what recovery after spine surgery is like.
Clovis questions about neck disc replacement
Do I need a referral to be seen from Clovis?
Some insurance plans require a referral and some do not. Call our office and we can check what your plan needs before your visit.
Can I go to the Clovis Rodeo or other big events a few weeks after surgery?
Walking and light activity are usually fine early. Crowds where you could be bumped, long hours on bleacher seats and anything that jars the neck are better left for later. Ask us at your follow-up visit.
Will my voice sound different after surgery?
Hoarseness is common for a short time after surgery from the front of the neck. It usually improves over days to weeks. Lasting voice change is uncommon.
Could I need a fusion instead?
Yes. If imaging shows arthritis in the facet joints, weak bone or instability, a fusion is often the safer choice. Dr. Higginbotham performs both operations.
How many levels can be replaced?
Some devices are approved for one or two neighboring levels in the lower neck. Whether two levels makes sense depends on your imaging and bone quality.