Heartland Spine Institute

Heartland Spine Institute was founded in 2008 by Dr. Frank Hayward. His vision is to provide exceptional spine care to the region. Dr. Hayward treats conditions of the spine using new technologies that allow him to minimize tissue damage and drastically reduce recovery times. It is our goal to treat every patient the way we would want to be treated.

When patients have exhausted conservative treatment, cervical disc replacement or artificial disc may be an option. Cervical disc replacement may be an option to treat a severely damaged or degenerated cervical disc or when the disc is impinging the nerves. Cervical disc replacement surgery is performed similar to anterior cervical fusion. The implant is designed to allow motion to continue. Therefore, the risk for adjacent segment disease is theoretically lower.

Dr. Hayward will spend the necessary time evaluating your symptoms and discussing the option of cervical disc replacement. Cervical disc replacements have been around in Europe for 20 years or more and are now being approved by insurance companies. However, insurance companies still have many limitations or requirements.

Benefits of cervical disc replacement:
• Maintainenance of motion
• Possible quicker recovery
• Reduced risk of adjacent segment disease