Dr. Adam Smith at Rocky Mountain Brain and Spine is board-certified and regularly performs Artificial Disc Replacements (ADR). Continue reading to learn more about what an Artificial Disc Replacement is.
Artificial discs are FDA approved for both the cervical and lumbar spine. While neither is placed using a minimal invasive technique, artificial discs allow decompression of the nerves while preserving some spine motion.
Cervical
The typical candidate for an artificial disc is younger, maintains good cervical curvature, and has only one or two levels of disc herniation. These patients are often discharged the same day as surgery.
Since the mid-2000’s, many cervical artificial discs have been developed, but only two are FDA approved. Most artificial discs seem to show better superior neck and arm pain improvement as opposed to anterior cervical diseconomy (ACDF). Both the rates of adjacent level disease and repeat surgery appear lower with ADR as compared to ACDF. However, artificial discs may still accidentally result in fusion.
At Rocky Mountain Brain and Spine, our patients seem to maintain good range of motion following surgery and in some cases improve their range of motion.
Cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR) is contraindicated in:
- Older than 67 years old
- Infection
- Metal allergy
- Trauma
- Abnormal motion of the cervical spine
- Soft bone (osteoporosis or osteopenia)
- Prior cervical fusion
- More than 2 levels of cervical arthritis
Lumbar
Lumbar artificial disc replacement us also a good option in certain patients as fewer lumbar artificial discs exist and are only approved for one level.
Board certified surgeons routinely perform this procedure and patients often stay in the hospital for one to two days afterwards.
Lumbar artificial disc replacement (ADR) is contraindicated in:
- Older than 60 years old
- Infection
- Metal allergy
- Trauma
- Abnormal motion of the lumbar spine
- Soft bone (osteoporosis or osteopenia)
- Prior lumbar fusion
- More than 1 level of lumbar arthritis