Artificial Disc Replacement

Q & A Artificial Disc Replacement

Larry Parker, MD

What exactly is an artificial disc?

An artificial disc replacement, also known as arthroplasty, is the replacement of a damaged spinal disc with an artificial (manufactured) disc.

When did you perform your first lumbar artificial disc replacement?

In the year 2003. I have performed many since then for both the cervical and lumbar spine.

What “levels/area/region” of the spine can this surgery be performed?

In my opinion typically the Cervical C3-C7 and Lumbar L4-L5 or L5-S1.

Who are good candidates for lumbar total disk replacement (LTDR) surgery?

•Patients who have failed conservative management

•Patients who have disc disease at 1 level in the lumbar spine.

•Patients who lack sciatica (pain radiating down the leg related to compression of a nerve root).

•Patients who do not have extreme obesity

Who are good candidates for cervical total disk replacement (CTDR) surgery?

Newest-generation cervical artificial discs are designed to restore physiologic motion to the spine and are indicated as an alternative to cervical fusion. An artificial cervical disc preserves motion by restoring biomechanical function at the treated level after native disc removal and potentially reduces subsequent degeneration of adjacent vertebral segments.

What are the benefits of a cervical disc replacement compared to the traditional ACDF procedure?

Artificial disc replacement may preserve motion and may decrease adjacent level degenerative disc disease as compared to traditional ACDF procedure

What are the benefits of lumbar total disk replacement (LTDR) compared to the traditional lumbar fusion procedure?

• Traditional lumbar fusion restricts motion between the bones in the lumbar spine to eliminate pain at the diseased segment. This changes the stress points in the lumbar spine and may lead to adjacent level disk degeneration above and below the lumbar fusion requiring future repeat surgery.

• Recovery from lumbar arthroplasty may be quicker than traditional fusion.

Dr. Parker, in your 20 year experience of performing total disc replacements, how has the technology improved and changed over the years?

Like most technologies, newer generation artificial discs for the cervical and lumbar spine continue to improve as technology evolves.