It really depends upon how severe the congenital stenosis is. If the cord has at least some CSF around both fore and aft, then it might be OK. Artificial disc replacements (ADRs) however need enough room to translate and this translation makes me nervous. If I am doing a surgery at one level for cord compression, I think it is a mistake to implant an ADR if the canal is tight. If however, the canal narrowing is generated from a disc herniation and the removal of the HNP will significantly open the canal, an ADR is OK.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.