Artificial Disc Replacement

Artificial disc replacement surgery consists of removing a painful disc and replacing it with a artificial disc prosthesis that has similar biomechanical properties to a normal disc. Most artificial disc prostheses are made of metal and/or polymer. In general, the artificial disc replacement surgery is performed through a minimally invasive approach to the spine and patients recovery very quickly. However, it is important to note that artificial disc replacement surgery is still a major spinal reconstructive surgery and that results from FDA studies have been shown to be similar to fusion.

Surgeries Performed

Cervical Disc Replacement

Some doctors believe that the failure to improve after fusion surgery is due to the fact that fusion prevents normal motion in the spine. For this reason, artificial disk replacement—which aims to preserve normal motion—has emerged as an alternative treatment option for low back pain.

Artificial disk replacement initially gained FDA approval for use in the U.S. in 2004. Over the past several years, numerous disk replacement designs have been developed and are currently being tested.

Oregon Spine Care is participating in an multi-center, randomized, control trial for the Synergy cervical disc replacement. The Spine Art Baguera cervical disc replacement trial is now completed and awaiting FDA submission. The principal investigator for these trials is Dr. Tatsumi. If you are interested in this device please contact our study coordinator, Kelsey Gretzinger, PA-C.

Lumbar Disc Replacement.

In a lateral lumbar interbody fusion, the surgeon takes a side approach and centers the incision over the patient’s flank. With this approach, the surgeon can reach the vertebrae and intervertebral disks without moving the nerves or opening up muscles in the back.

The lateral approach is often referred to as extreme lateral or direct lateral interbody fusion (XLIF or DLIF).