A new and innovative option for people living with neck pain. A life changing surgical procedure is being tested at Doctors Hospital.

Picking up a jar of peanut butter for Angel Hamilton is the sign of a new beginning. For someone who's only 46, this seemingly easy task wasn't always possible. "I love peanut butter and I went to pick up the jar one night and I couldn't. I said this is not good," Hamilton said.

And in fact Angel was right, it wasn't good. Her pain got so bad that it prevented her from everyday activities, even working. "I've got weakness in my hands and fingers. Pain runs from my spinal cord to my elbow," Hamilton said.

And after weeks of trying several unsuccessful treatments Angel paid a visit to Augusta doctor Ildemaro Volcan. "She came to me with severe neck pain that was sudden onset," Volcan said.

The diagnosis was a herniated cervical disc in her neck. Instead of having tradition neck fusion surgery, Angel went with
something totally new. "With the artificial disc, the horizon had changed and perhaps this is going to be the way to go," Volcan said.

Dr. Volcan ended up replacing Angel's damaged cervical disc with one made of plastic. Our cameras would be in the operating room to watch it all.

Dr. Volcan and his team spent more than two hours removing tiny pieces of Angel's herniated disc.

8 weeks later, Angel is back to work and living pain free. "I feel good. I feel real good. The surgery was almost instant success."

And for that jar of peanut butter, "I can pick it up and throw it at you," Hamilton said.

The artificial disc replacement procedure is part of a trial now underway at 20 hospitals across the nation.

If you're living with chronic neck pain and think you may be a candidate for the procedure, contact Doctors Hospital.