Artifical Disc Replacement

It has been estimated that 65 million people will suffer from low back pain in the US this year.

While 90% or more will be successfully treated conservatively, about 200,000 will undergo surgery usually in the form of a fusion. A fusion creates a union between two or more painful motion segments of the spine to stop the inflammation caused by the painful motion. While this procedure is often successful, there are consequences to adding "stiffness" to the spine. As the number of motion segments diminishes, additional stress is placed on the segments that are still moving. This can lead to what is called "adjacent level degeneration". In other words, areas of the spine that would have remained normal may develop degeneration as a result of the additional stress placed on them by the fusion. The exact incidence of this phenomenon is not known but may be as high as 10-15%.

Artificial Disc Replacement is a reasonable alternative to spinal fusion and was approved by the FDA in 2004.

A major advantage of the artificial disc is the preservation of motion and the potential for lessening the incidence of adjacent level degeneration. To be a candidate for disc replacement, the degenerative disc disease should be limited to one level of the lumbar spine. There should be no arthritic changes in the joints in the back of the spine called "facet joints". Osteoporosis is another condition that affects the spine by making the bones "softer" and more prone to compression fractures. Artificial disc replacement should not be performed in the setting of osteoporosis as it can lead to "settling" of the prosthesis.

To be considered a candidate for Artificial Disc Replacement

A patient should have low back pain felt to be emanating from disc degeneration restricted to a single disc with normal adjacent discs and no evidence of facet joint arthritis. The pain should have been present for at least six months and resistant to non-surgical treatment that includes any or all of the following: physical therapy, medication, pain management, job modification.

The Spine Surgeons at The New Hampshire Neurospine Institute have extensive experience with this new technology.

They are all credentialed to insert the Charite artificial disc and the Institute has been involved with three approved FDA studies looking at artificial disc replacement in both the cervical and lumbar spine. The early results are promising but as with any new technology, ongoing research is needed to assess the long term results.

If you think you may be a candidate for Artificial Disc Replacement or Spinal Fusion, contact us at info@nhneurospine.com or speak with your physician.

As you read this information, keep in mind that all treatment and outcome results are specific to the individual. Only your physician can provide you with a detailed list of your specific indications, precautions, potential adverse events, and other important medical information.

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