Disc Replacement

If you suffer from low back pain, also called lumbar back pain, you are not alone. More than 65 million people each year in the U.S. experience low back pain. This may be caused by degenerative disc disease (DDD), a disorder of the spine and intervertebral discs. These discs are located between the bones, called vertebrae, in the spinal column. They act as cushions or shock absorbers and keep the spine flexible.

If you suffer from chronic back pain caused by DDD, which does not respond to non-surgical therapies, artificial disc replacement may be considered. Recent studies have shown that artificial disc replacement can significantly reduce chronic low back pain in select patients. Compared to techniques such as spinal fusion surgery, disc replacement has the advantage of maintaining fuller motion in the spine, which may lessen the likelihood of problems developing at adjacent levels in the spine. While spinal fusion surgery is recommended for some patients with DDD, advisability for patients and techniques remain controversial and the results can be variable. In some cases, the surgery decreases motion in the spine and transfers stress to adjacent levels Additionally, the ability of the bone to heal varies and occasionally may not be successful.

Artificial disc replacement surgery is offered at our Spine Center, where world-renowned specialists in orthopedics, neurosurgery and other specialties work together to treat complex spinal problems, including those that have failed previous treatment and difficult-to-diagnose conditions. We offer the full range of non-surgical and surgical therapies for spinal conditions.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated August 29, 2007