What is Artificial Disc Replacement?
Dr. Jessica Shellock, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Texas Back Institute explains what Disc Replacement is and how it works. Disc replacement is a motion preserving surgery. Artificial Disc Replacement or Total Disc Replacement is an alternative to spinal fusion surgery. In a spine fusion, the motion at the surgical site is taken away, which can, over time, create more stress and degeneration at the surrounding levels. With Disc Replacement the surgical level maintains motion, which allows the surrounding levels to work normally, with less stress, helping prevent future surgery on the surrounding levels. Not everyone is a candidate for Artificial Disc Replacement.
Discuss this procedure with your spine surgeon to find out if you are a candidate for this procedure.