Cervical Spine Surgery · Naples & Fort Myers, FL
Cervical Disc
Replacement
Anterior Cervical Disc Arthroplasty (ACDA) — removing the damaged disc in your neck and replacing it with a state-of-the-art artificial disc that preserves your natural motion. No fusion. No cervical collar. No activity restrictions at 6 weeks — including return to professional sports.
"When fusion can be avoided, it should be. Disc replacement gives patients their motion back — and that changes everything."
Dr. G. Katsevman, MD · Fellowship-Trained, Barrow Neurological Instituteno rigid hardware
in a natural neck crease
brace needed post-op
return to professional sports
Who benefits
Are you a candidate for cervical disc replacement?
Cervical disc replacement is designed for patients with a herniated or degenerated cervical disc causing neck pain, arm pain, numbness, weakness, or myelopathy — in whom motion preservation is a priority and fusion is not required.
Neck or Arm Pain
Pain, aching, or stiffness in the neck — often radiating into the shoulders, between the shoulder blades, or down the arm (cervical radiculopathy). May feel like a deep, shooting, or burning sensation.
Numbness or Tingling
Electrical, pins-and-needles, or numbness sensations in the arm, hand, or fingers — caused by a compressed nerve root in the cervical spine. Location depends on the specific nerve affected.
Arm or Hand Weakness
Difficulty gripping, weakness in hand strength, dropping objects, or struggling to open jars — signs that a compressed cervical nerve root is affecting motor function.
Balance or Dexterity Issues
Subtle balance problems, trouble with fine motor tasks (buttoning shirts, picking up coins, clasping jewelry), or hand weakness — signs of cervical myelopathy from spinal cord compression.
Active Lifestyle Priority
Patients who want to maintain full neck range of motion — athletes, active professionals, and anyone unwilling to accept the motion restrictions that come with spinal fusion.
Failed Conservative Care
Physical therapy, medications, or cervical injections have not provided lasting relief — or symptoms are severe enough (weakness, myelopathy) to warrant a surgical evaluation.
The procedure
How cervical disc replacement works
Cervical disc replacement (ACDA) is performed through a small incision at the front of the neck — removing the damaged disc entirely and replacing it with a precision-engineered artificial disc that moves like your natural anatomy.
Access through the front of the neck
The surgery is performed from the anterior (front) of the cervical spine through a small incision carefully planned within a natural skin crease of the neck — roughly the length of a lipstick cap, typically under an inch. Because it follows the natural skin fold, it heals nearly invisible. This approach allows Dr. Katsevman to reach the disc directly without disturbing the muscles of the back of the neck.
Working alongside a retractor that gently moves the trachea and esophagus to the side, Dr. Katsevman gains clear access to the affected disc level under fluoroscopic (real-time X-ray) guidance.
Remove the disc, decompress the nerve
The damaged or herniated disc is completely removed — along with any bone spurs (osteophytes) or herniated material that is compressing the nerve root or spinal cord. This is the decompression step: relieving the pressure that is causing your pain, numbness, and weakness.
The disc space is carefully prepared to receive the artificial disc implant. Precision here determines the quality of motion restoration.
Replace with an artificial disc
Rather than filling the empty disc space with a bone spacer and fusing the vertebrae (ACDF), Dr. Katsevman implants a state-of-the-art artificial cervical disc — a precisely engineered device that replicates the natural disc's ability to flex, extend, and rotate.
The artificial disc sits between the vertebrae and is anchored securely — but unlike a fusion, it allows the vertebrae to continue moving naturally relative to one another. Your neck retains its range of motion. The segment above and below are not forced to compensate.
Implant options
Artificial disc devices used by Dr. Katsevman
Not all artificial discs are the same. Dr. Katsevman selects the implant best suited to each patient's anatomy, disc height, and motion goals. Both devices below are FDA-approved for use at one or two levels — and for patients requiring additional levels, Dr. Katsevman works with you individually to determine the optimal approach.
A low-profile, anatomic design with a titanium-ceramic-titanium construction. Exceptional MRI compatibility — zero titanium artifact distortion, so post-operative imaging is clear and accurate. Excellent range of motion across flexion, extension, and lateral bending.
A ball-and-socket design with one of the longest and most robust clinical track records in cervical arthroplasty. Controlled, predictable motion through durable cobalt-chromium endplates and a ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene core — engineered for decades of performance.
How it compares
Disc replacement vs. spinal fusion (ACDF)
Both procedures relieve nerve compression — but they differ fundamentally in what happens to your neck afterward.
ACDF — Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion
Segment is fused permanentlyThe vertebrae above and below are locked together — that motion is gone forever.
Bone graft or spacer requiredA titanium cage and plate with screws are used to achieve fusion.
Adjacent segment stress increasesNeighboring levels compensate for lost motion — accelerating wear and degeneration above and below the fusion.
Risk of adjacent segment diseaseOver time, many fusion patients develop problems at the levels adjacent to the fused segment.
Cervical collar often requiredMany fusion patients wear a neck brace for weeks post-operatively while the fusion consolidates.
Prolonged activity restrictionsReturn to full activity — including sports — is delayed while waiting for bone fusion, which takes months.
ACDA — Cervical Disc Replacement · Dr. Katsevman
Natural motion preservedThe artificial disc moves like your own — flexion, extension, and rotation are all maintained.
No bone graft, no fusion plateThe artificial disc anchors directly to the vertebral endplates — no rigid fixation above and below.
Adjacent segments protectedBy preserving motion at the treated level, the disc above and below are not overloaded.
Lower reoperation risk long-termStudies show disc replacement patients have significantly lower rates of adjacent segment reoperation versus fusion.
No cervical collar neededUnlike fusion, disc replacement patients do not require a neck brace post-operatively.
No restrictions at 6 weeksPatients are cleared for full activity — including professional and competitive sports — at six weeks post-op.
Important: Not every patient is a candidate for disc replacement. Patients with significant instability, severe osteoporosis, active infection, or certain deformities may be better served by fusion. Dr. Katsevman will review your imaging and discuss which approach is appropriate for your specific anatomy and goals.
Common questions
What patients ask most
What is the difference between disc replacement and fusion? +
Both procedures begin the same way — removing the damaged cervical disc through a small incision at the front of the neck. The difference is what happens next. With fusion (ACDF), a bone spacer and plate are used to permanently lock the vertebrae together. With disc replacement (ACDA), an artificial disc is placed that allows continued motion at that segment. Disc replacement preserves natural neck movement, reduces stress on adjacent levels, and typically allows a faster return to activity.
How many levels can be treated with disc replacement? +
One or two levels are the most common. Both the Simplify and ProDisc-C are FDA-approved for one- and two-level disc replacement. For patients who may need additional levels addressed, Dr. Katsevman discusses the options individually — sometimes a combination of approaches is the right answer. Multi-level cervical disc replacement is well-studied and has excellent long-term outcomes in appropriately selected patients.
What is recovery like after cervical disc replacement? +
Most patients go home the same day or the following morning. Unlike fusion surgery, no cervical collar is required after disc replacement. Return to desk work is typically possible within 1–2 weeks. At six weeks post-operatively, there are no activity restrictions — including return to professional and competitive sports. Because there is no fusion to wait for, recovery is meaningfully faster than after ACDF.
Will insurance cover cervical disc replacement? +
Cervical disc replacement is covered by most major insurance plans when medically indicated. Coverage criteria vary by insurer — some require documentation of failed conservative care or specific imaging findings. Dr. Katsevman's team will work with you to understand your benefits, navigate prior authorization, and explore out-of-network options or GAP exceptions if needed. We work with all insurance plans.
Am I too old for cervical disc replacement? +
Age alone does not disqualify a patient from disc replacement. The key factors are bone quality, the degree of degeneration at the treated level, and the absence of significant instability or deformity. Many patients in their 60s and 70s are excellent candidates. Dr. Katsevman will assess your imaging and bone health to determine the most appropriate approach — disc replacement, fusion, or another option — for your specific situation.
Can I get a second opinion if I've already been told I need fusion? +
Absolutely — and Dr. Katsevman encourages it. Many patients referred for fusion are actually candidates for disc replacement that was not offered or considered. Dr. Katsevman offers in-person and telemedicine second-opinion consultations for patients across Florida and nationally. Bring your MRI images and prior surgical recommendations — a second look often changes the plan significantly.
What is cervical myelopathy and can disc replacement treat it? +
Cervical myelopathy occurs when the spinal cord itself is compressed in the neck — causing balance problems, hand clumsiness, weakness, or bowel/bladder changes. Disc replacement can be used in selected myelopathy cases where the compression is at one or two levels and the disc is the primary culprit. In more extensive myelopathy cases, a posterior approach (laminoplasty or laminectomy) may be preferred or combined with the anterior procedure. Dr. Katsevman will determine the optimal surgical strategy based on your MRI, symptoms, and overall spine alignment.
"Preserving motion isn't just a technical preference — it protects the rest of your spine for decades to come."
Gennadiy (Gene) A. Katsevman, MD
Neurosurgeon & Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon
Fellowship-trained at Barrow Neurological Institute under Dr. Juan Uribe — a world pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery
Neurosurgery residency, West Virginia University — Level 1 Trauma Center
30+ peer-reviewed publications in spine surgery and neurosurgery, including cervical arthroplasty research
Naples Top Doctor in Neurosurgery — 2024, 2025, and 2026
5-star Google rating · Healthgrades Choice Provider · WebMD Preferred Provider
U.S. News & World Report Patients' Top Choice
Offices in Naples and Fort Myers · Telemedicine available nationwide
Take the next step
Ready to explore disc replacement?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Katsevman in Naples or Fort Myers — or via telemedicine — to review your imaging and find out if cervical disc replacement is the right approach for you.
6101 Pine Ridge Road #101
Naples, FL 34119
Fort Myers, FL 33919
Available nationwide