PROCEDURES

Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement is a surgical treatment alternative for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. This surgery is designed to relieve or improve back pain and for chronic low back pain while preserving motion at the lumbar segment.

Anterior lumbar fusion is the more traditional approach to chronic degenerative disc disease.

Most artificial disc replacement surgery is done for single level or isolated degenerative disc disease at either L4-5 or L5-S1.

Though prospective randomized studies demonstrate similar relief patterns with artificial disc replacement as opposed to anterior lumbar interbody fusion, the long term results with artificial disc replacement have clearly demonstrated superior results in long term followup both in regards to pain relief and the prevention of adjacent level degenerative disc disease.

• Anterior refers to the approach of surgery which is done through the abdomen as opposed to an incision on the low back.
• This approach provides clearly better access for complete discectomy and implantation of the artificial disc implant.
• Lumbar refers to the position of the spine which is in the low back region.

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