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• Disc Replacement Surgery

Disc Replacement Surgery

Disc replacement surgery is a procedure aimed at removing a diseased and deteriorating intervertebral disc – and replacing it with a prosthetic (manmade) disc – in an attempt to re-stabilize the spine and restore flexibility to the spine’s movements. If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from conditions such as herniated disc, bulging disc, or spinal stenosis, you may have heard of disc replacement surgery as a possible treatment option.

As with any back and disc surgery, it is important to gather all the facts so that you can make an informed decision about your pain relief plan. Let’s consider some fundamentals of disc replacement surgery. Also known as artificial disc surgery or artificial disc replacement (ADR), the procedure was developed as an alternative to spinal fusion surgery. The idea was that disc replacement would allow a surgeon to remove a damaged disc, without the need to reinforce the spine by permanently fusing vertebrae together. The challenges, however, are obvious when we consider all the roles that intervertebral discs play. Not only do they attach adjacent vertebrae, but they also absorb the wear and tear of our body’s movements. Therefore, a prosthetic disc would have to have similar properties. Not only would the artificial disc need to be able to attach directly to bone, but it would also need to be pliable enough that it could flex and bounce back easily. Above all, a prosthetic disc would need to be exceptionally durable and strong. Common materials that comprise prosthetic discs used in these types of disc surgeries include:

• A hydrogel inner nucleus with a polyethylene outer wall
• A rubber inner nucleus with titanium plates on either side
• Cobalt chromium plates with a polyethylene core

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Of course, replacement disc surgery does come with risks, the most obvious of which is that the prosthetic disc will either dislocate, degrade quickly, be rejected by your body, or will not allow your spine enough mobility. It also is an invasive surgery that requires a hospital stay, general anesthesia, and a long recovery period.

You should keep in mind, however, that there are alternatives to traditional, open spine surgeries like disc replacement surgery. Laser Spine Institute (LSI) is at the forefront of minimally invasive, endoscopic technology that focuses on freeing nerves from impingement, rather than total disc replacement. Contact us today for a free review or your MRI or CT scan and see if alternative treatments at LSI could help you rediscover a life without pain.

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