At the end of 2016, James, Fish, DO, an orthopedic spine surgeon affiliated with Hughston Clinic, preformed the first two-level cervical disk replacement in Rutherford County at TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center. The procedure, which is less invasive than other surgical options, reduces the likelihood of additional surgical needs, especially in young patients.

"Every patient that enters our doors is different, which is why TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center continues bringing alternative spine surgery options to our community," said Fish. "We have to be able to provide the best treatment, surgical or non-surgical, for each patient based on their pathology."

Fish elected to perform the second level cervical disk replacement on this specific patient because he found significant disc herniations, pressure on the spinal cord and nerves at both levels. Providing surgical options that allow the patient to return to light activity right after surgery and resuming all normal activities - even vigorous exercise - within six weeks was extremely important to Fish and the patient. Having failed conventional interventions including therapy and injections, the patient elected to have the disc replacement procedure in lieu of the two level cervical fusion because in order to maintain motion throughout the entire cervical spine.

"In a young person such as this patient, doing a two level fusion will result in a collapse, which is like a tire going flat," said Fish. "I wanted to spare those levels, stop the disk herniation that was causing pain due to pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, and avoid future surgery for this patient as best I could."

He added, "This procedure, in addition to the other advanced technologies, allows us to offer our patients a local choice for a variety of specialized spine treatment options right here in our community."