How is total disc replacement an alternative to fusion?
What is Lumbar Disc Fusion?
The traditional approach to treating pain and/or disability from lumbar degenerative disc disease is spinal fusion. This is likely the most popular alternative Dr. Pribil’s specialized Total Disc Replacement treatment. This surgery involves forming a direct bony connection between the vertebrae surrounding the painful disc(s); pain relief occurs by stopping the motion of the painful disc(s).
There are a wide variety of options available with spinal fusion, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Surgical techniques include fusion approached from the front, the back, or both. Spinal instrumentation in the form of implants and/or pedicle screws provide internal structural support while the bone fuses, and bone graft can either be harvested from the patient or one of a number of synthetic bone graft substitutes or extenders can be used.
Through years of experience and a renowned understanding of the spine, Dr. Pribil has become an international leading expert in the highly successful alternative to Lumbar Disc Fusion which is known as Total Disc Replacement.
Total Disc Replacement is Dr. Pribil’s preferred treatment of painful lumbar discs.
Total disc replacement (TDR) may be a solution for some patients with degenerative disc disease as an alternative to spinal fusion. Early research into artificial disc replacement began in the 1960s because of the complications sometimes caused by spinal fusion. Insurance coverage changes over the last few years have enabled more and more patients to receive this alternative procedure to become the fastest growing procedure in spine; representing nearly 10% of fusions.
During disc replacement surgery, the doctor removes your damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial disc. The goals of total disc replacement surgery are to maintain spinal balance and motion, reduce adjacent level degeneration and allow patients to get back to activities of daily living.
Total Disc Replacement Surgery
Disc replacement surgery is performed by a spine surgeon in either the cervical or neck region of the spine, or in the lumbar or lower back region. The surgical approach for the neck and lower back is through the front, referred to as an anterior approach. Disc replacement surgery starts with surgical access to the spine, followed by removal of the patient’s diseased disc. Once the diseased disc has been removed, the total disc replacement is implanted.
A disc replacement device consists of two cobalt chrome endplates containing and articulating over a domed polyethylene core to restore stable motion to the spine. The clinical trials on disc replacement proved the effectiveness of this option—specifically a reduction in pain and improvement in a patient’s quality of life. Disc replacement is not appropriate for all patients. Please consult your physician to find out if this procedure is right for you.
If you’re tired of dealing with neck and back pain, contact Dr. Pribil’s office today to schedule a consult and see if total disc replacement is the right solution for you.
