A disc replacement is a motion-sparing procedure that removes damaged, herniated disc and places a mobile disc in it’s place.
Disc Replacement versus Fusion
A fusion is an effective and safe procedure that has been the gold standard. It replaces the painful disc with an immobile spacer to connect the bones.
More recently, the disc replacement was introduced to maintain motion in the spine and decrease the stress that goes through the neighboring levels.
For certain problems including severe arthritis, a disc replacement cannot be performed and fusion is preferred.
Studies (Global Spine Journal, 2018) have shown that disc replacement, when appropriate, have statistically significant improved function, better patient satisfaction, lower risk of reoperation, shorter operating time, and shorter hospital stay.