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Lumbar Total Disc Replacement (TDR)

LUMBAR TOTAL DISC REPLACEMENT (TDR) SURGERY

As spinal discs degenerate, they may become painful and can limit function and decrease quality of life. Lumbar Total disc replacement (TDR), one of the latest advancements in spine surgery, is a common procedure for treating painful disc degeneration or disruption.

This type of surgery is typically recommended only after extensive non-surgical therapies have failed to significantly provide pain relief.

As spinal discs degenerate, they may become painful and can limit function and decrease quality of life. Lumbar Total disc replacement (TDR), one of the latest advancements in spine surgery,  is a common procedure for treating painful disc degeneration or disruption. This type of surgery is typically recommended only after extensive non-surgical therapies have failed to significantly provide pain relief.

In preparation for having a lumbar disc replacement, a bone density scan will be obtained. This is a simple study, in which a non-radiation scanner counter passes over your body to record how much calcium is in your bones. You will undergo the normal pre-operative blood testing, so we can make certain there is no evidence of any infection.

A small incision will be made up and down or to the side on the front of your lower belly. During the procedure, we do not go through the stomach, but rather we go inside the stomach wall pulling the sack that holds our organs over across the front of the spine. Many people think we go through the stomach and have to move all the organs. In fact, there are no muscles that are cut, and, again, we follow the normal tissue plains of the body.

Therefore, after the surgery is done and the surgeon removes the diseased disc and replaces a custom made artificial disc in terms of size, height, and angle,.

 

Conditions

  • Degenerative disc disease candidates with normal bone density and no significant curvature of the spine.
  • Recurrent herniated disc candidates, depending on their situation, may now be eligible.

What to Expect

Once you have decided to have surgery:

  • A medical examination.
  • Chest X-ray, EKG, and blood work.
  • You may be asked to have a neurological or psychological examination.
  • If taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications daily, stop these medications at least one week before surgery.
  • If you take prescription medications or other drugs, including herbals, ask your doctor how soon before surgery you should stop taking these.
  • Do not have anything to eat or drink for 6 to 8 hours before surgery.
  • You will check into the hospital the morning of surgery.
  • Prior to surgery, you will be asked to sign permits for surgery, anesthesia, blood, and blood products.
  • A small incision will be made up and down or from the side to side on the front of your lower belly.
  • During the procedure, we go inside the stomach wall pulling the sack that holds our organs over across the front of the spine.
  • Many people think we go through the stomach and have to move all the organs. In fact, there are no muscles that are cut, and, again, we follow the normal tissue plains of the body.
  • The surgeon removes the diseased disc and replaces a custom-made artificial disc in terms of size, height, and angle.
  • In general, the patients are up and walking the same day as surgery and often discharged the day after surgery depending on the return of bowel sounds:
  • Sometimes the bowels do not begin to have their normal peristalsis or squeezing activity right after surgery and a patient may have to spend an extra day in the hospital.
  • They wear a small corset for two weeks for wound healing, then return to their doctor and begin physical therapy.
  • The only two restrictions they have are not to arch their back backward or to jog
  • Patients can return to non-laboring jobs after two weeks.
  • At the end of the 3 months, patients are released to full activities.

Leaders in Advanced Spine Procedures

To find out whether you would benefit from artificial disc surgery, make an appointment to visit Texas Back Institute in the Dallas, TX, area for an evaluation. We always reserve surgery as a last resort, so we’ll seek to relieve pain first through conservative treatments such as physical therapy and pain management. If severe pain persists and it is determined that you would benefit from surgery, we can help you determine whether artificial disc replacement is right for you.

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