Surgical treatment for severe, chronic lower back pain traditionally involves removal of damaged spinal discs. The surrounding vertebrae are fused using bone grafts and metal screws or cages. While usually effective in reducing or eliminating pain, this approach limits the patient’s movement and transfers additional stress onto the adjacent vertebrae.
With the new artificial disc, Dr. Kushwaha’s surgical team removed the patient’s damaged disc and inserted a movable, high-density plastic one which is secured with two metal endplates.
“The biggest advantage to implanting an artificial disc is that we preserve motion and normal spinal biomechanics,” said Dr. Kushwaha. “Also, recovery from this procedure takes about half as long as recuperating from fusion surgery.”
Adult patients experiencing pain from one-level degenerative disc disease may be candidates for artificial disc implants. The procedure may not be appropriate for older patients.
Complications, which occur in fewer than 5% of surgeries, can include infection and problems with the implant. The risk of male impotence may exceed 5%.
CHARITÉ™ Artificial Disc is manufactured by DePuy Spine, a division of Johnson & Johnson Co.
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