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• Disc Arthroplasty

Disc Arthroplasty

Disc arthroplasty, which is commonly known as artificial disc replacement, is an emerging procedure designed as an alternative to disc removal and spinal fusion surgeries.

When a patient is experiencing degenerative disc disease or other disc disorders, a doctor will typically try to manage the symptoms conservatively. In the event that a patient’s symptoms continue to worsen and surgical treatment is deemed necessary, the standard procedure is to remove the problematic spongy disc in the back (a procedure called discectomy) and fuse the vertebrae together (called spinal fusion). These major surgeries can address the patient’s pain in some cases, but they also have some notable side-effects that warrant consideration. Namely, spinal fusion isn’t always successful and symptoms can remain if the bone doesn’t heal correctly. Fusing the vertebrae together also results in stiffness and a lack of back mobility, and can even cause the transference of symptoms to another segment in the spine.

Meanwhile, disc arthroplasty is the actual replacement of the damaged disc in the spine with an artificial disc (similar to hip replacement). In theory, this procedure corrects the symptoms stemming from the bad disc and allows the individual to maintain his or her strength and flexibility.

Typically, the symptoms of degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and bulging discs – including pain, numbness, and muscle weakness – can be managed with conservative treatments including bed rest, physical therapy, hot and cold packs, pain medication, and epidural steroid injections. Some segments of the population, however, do not respond to this course of action and require surgical treatment. This is when artificial disc replacement, or disc arthroplasty, may be considered.

A few important things to note about disc arthroplasty include:

• Only a select group of patients are eligible for this procedure
• The procedure has only recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a limited basis
• Multiple disc arthroplasty is still considered highly experimental and is not FDA approved

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Another option for addressing disc problems is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure known as endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute (LSI) performs more endoscopic spine procedures than any other facility in the world, and more than 85 percent of our patients report partial or total symptom relief within weeks after their procedure. Unlike spine fusion or disc arthroplasty, we remove damaged disc material using small incisions, micro-instruments, and gentle lasers. This results in a quicker and less painful recovery. Contact LSI for a free review of your MRI or CT scan and to learn more about all of your options.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.