Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery
Artificial disc replacement surgery is a cutting-edge technique for relieving back pain resulting from disc disease, particularly in the lower back. In the same way that a hip or knee replacement works, disc replacement involves removal of the damaged or diseased intervertebral disc and its replacement with an artificial, mechanical device. This artificial disc will help restore normal motion in the spine at the level of the replaced disc.
Artificial discs are soft cushioning structures made from metal or biopolymer materials (or often a combination of the two). They imitate the function of a normal healthy disc, and can be inserted anywhere in the spine that a disc is irreparably damaged. They are most common in the cervical spine and lumbar spine. When successful, this surgery may eliminate the need for spinal fusion.
