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Artificial Disc Replacement

Artificial disc replacement is a procedure that is currently being researched and developed as an alternative to spinal fusion surgery. This highly invasive procedure has been used with limited success in single disc replacement, but in most cases has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Typically, if an individual is suffering from chronic back pain, a doctor will try to manage the symptoms using conservative treatments. However, sometimes corrective surgery is required to treat the underlying problem with the discs in the back. In some cases, the last resort – after conservative options have been exhausted – has been to remove diseased discs (discectomy) and stabilize the spine (with a spinal fusion).

In a healthy spine, a soft cushion rests between each vertebra in the back, padding the many movements of the spine and providing a person with mobility and flexibility. Over time, however, these discs are subject to wear and tear and can become flattened, swollen, or ruptured, causing pain at the site of the damaged disc and irritating surrounding nerves. Discectomy and spinal fusion is a two-fold surgery where the surgeon removes the symptomatic disc and literally fuses the vertebrae together, which is believed to provide stability and support that was once provided by the disc. The problem with spinal fusion – and the hope for artificial disc replacement – lies in the potential side effects of the fusion procedure. Namely, the success rate for fusion varies widely from patient to patient, there is a risk of the bones not healing correctly, and fusing two vertebrae together often means permanent stiffness and a decreased range of motion for the patient.

On the other hand, the purpose of artificial disc replacement is to literally replace the degenerated disc in the spine. This could result in:

• Maintained flexibility and motion
• Limited stress transference to other spinal segments
• The treatment of back or neck pain and radiculopathy

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While artificial disc replacement, also known as disc arthroplasty, may one day be an effective alternative to spinal fusion, it is still major open back surgery that carries risks like rejection of implant materials, bleeding, infection, nerve damage, and more.

Another option for addressing degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, herniated discs, and other disc disorders is a type of endoscopic spine surgery called endoscopic discectomy. Instead of completely replacing the disc, these minimally invasive, outpatient procedures surgically remove the bits of tissue that are compressing nerve roots or the spinal cord. Endoscopic laser surgery is an appealing option for many patients because it doesn’t require hospitalization and recovery time is significantly shorter. To learn more about all of your options and for a free review of your MRI or CT scan, contact the award-winning staff at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) today.

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