Is artificial disc replacement a major surgery?

Lumbar disk replacement is generally seen as an alternative to the more common spinal fusion surgery. Fusion permanently joins 2 vertebrae together. Lumbar disk replacement is a major surgery that requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay.

How long will an artificial disc last?

For most patients, an artificial disc replacement will last an average of 70 years without the need for a revision artificial disc replacement.

Who is eligible for artificial disc replacement?

Artificial disc replacement may be recommended for patients between the ages of 18 and 60 with DDD at one or two levels of the spine whose condition has not responded to at least six previous months of non-surgical therapy.

What is the success rate of artificial disc replacement?

Success rates with fusions performed for degenerative disc disease range in the literature between 65 and 93%. It has become the standard of care for discogenic pain and is often very effective in relieving pain.

Who is not a candidate for artificial disc replacement?

Artificial disc replacement surgery is not recommended in facet joint syndrome. An artificial disc replacement device should also not be used if you have significant osteoporosis or an active infection.

What is the success rate of disc replacement surgery 2020?

The authors reported a clinical success rate as defined by the FDA (≥ 15-point improvement in ODI, freedom from device failure or serious device-related adverse events, maintenance/improvement in neurological status) of 87.5% and a return to work rate of 75.9%.

How many disc replacements can you have?

Ideally, only one level of the spine is replaced, but up to three levels have been done. The same patients whom we would have fused in the past are receiving artificial discs. Of course, not all patients are suitable for this technology, and assessment by a skilled spinal surgeon is essential.

Which is better spinal fusion or disc replacement?

Artificial disc replacement offers some advantages over spinal fusion. The biggest advantage is that disc replacement preserves motion and mobility in the spine while fusion does not. This is especially important for people who want to live active and not just pain-free lives.

Is disc replacement better than fusion?

Lumbar disc replacement, a similar procedure that replaces the discs in the lower back, also has a faster recovery time than fusion. A study published in Global Spine Journal found that disc replacement patients were able to return to work significantly faster than fusion patients.

When is disc replacement not an option?

Are you a candidate? Disc replacement isn’t appropriate for everyone. If your condition involves several discs, for example, it’s probably not a good choice. Most ADR patients need only one disc replaced and have never had back surgery before.

Can I get an MRI with a disc replacement?

MRI can continue to be used as the preferred technique when evaluating the cervical spine. Given this result, MRI can be used following artificial disc replacement except when a Prestige ST device has been implanted. In case of the Prestige ST, neither the adjacent nor the index levels were visualized on MRI.