Artificial Disc

Dr. McDonald is the front-line surgeon in the Northwest to be trained and authorized to implant the new leading edge ProDisc®-L Lumbar artificial disc manufactured by Swiss medical device maker Synthes® Spine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the total disc replacement device for motion preservation in patients with back pain. The device has now been implanted in more than 2,300 patients worldwide.

Disc Replacement Surgery

Fusion X-Ray	ProDisc-L Total Disc Replacement X-Ray

Back Pain

Nearly 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain during their lifetime. Most commonly, back pain is caused by muscle strain, but it can also be attributed to a variety of traumatic and degenerative conditions, including:

• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Bone fractures
• Osteomyelitis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Degenerative disc disease (DDD)

For most, back pain is only a temporary problem that can be alleviated with conservative (non-surgical) treatment such as rest, medication, physical therapy, spinal injections and the use of orthotics. Patients suffering from chronic back pain that does not improve with conservative (non-surgical) treatment may require surgery.

Neck Pain

Neck and arm pain is also a prevalent problem that can be attributed to degenerative problems in the cervical spine. Other neurological problems such as motor function limitations and sensory dysfunctions may also be associated with degeneration in the cervical spine. In some cases, conservative treatment may relieve neck and arm pain; however, in other cases, surgical treatment may be required to relieve pain and prevent severe and ongoing neurological problems.

New Surgical Alternative

With the introduction of total disc replacement (TDR) surgery, surgeons can offer their patients an alternative to spinal fusion surgery for the treatment of symptomatic degenerative disc disease (DDD). The TDR procedure is intended to relieve pain and preserve motion in the spine.

During both TDR surgery and spinal fusion surgery, the pain-generating disc is removed and the disc height is restored. During a fusion surgery, the spinal segment is stabilized with an implant and plate and/or rods and screws. Bone graft may be used to promote osseous fusion of the vertebrae. Conversely, during a TDR surgery, an implant that allows motion is inserted into the disc space.

Both treatments are usually effective for relieving pain. However, preserving motion at the treated vertebral segment may enable the spine to restore its sagittal balance and maintain more natural mechanics after surgery than fusing the vertebral segment. This may potentially decelerate degeneration in adjacent levels in the spine.

ProDisc-L disc replacement surgery

The ProDisc-L total disc replacement has been determined to be safe and effective in the treatment of degenerative disc disease (DDD) at one level from L3 to S1. The ProDisc-L total disc replacement surgery is intended to:

• Remove the diseased disc
• Restore normal disc height
• Significantly reduce discogenic pain
• Preserve motion in affected vertebral segment
• Improve patient function

Who is a candidate for ProDisc-L total disc replacement surgery?

If you have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease (DDD) and your pain has failed to improve after at least six months of conservative (non-surgical) treatment such as physical therapy or medication, you may be a candidate for ProDisc-L total disc replacement surgery. In order to be a candidate to receive the ProDisc-L implant, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Must be suffering from degenerative disc disease (DDD) at only one level between L3 and S1. DDD is defined as a disc that is worn out or has become injured and is causing pain. This determination is made based on history, physical examination and x-rays.
• Should have had at least six months of conservative treatment without relief of symptoms (e.g., medications, physical therapy, etc.)
• Vertebrae must be dimensionally large enough to support the device
• Must not have an active infection, either throughout your body or localized to your spine
• Must have good bone quality (no osteoporosis or osteopenia)
• Must not be allergic to cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, polyethylene or titanium
• Must be old enough that the bones in your body are mature and no longer growing
• Must not have spinal anatomy that would prevent implantation of the device or cause the device to be unstable in your body, as determined by your doctor

Your occupation or activity level, your weight, the condition of other levels of your spine, whether or not you are pregnant, and any allergies you have may influence whether you should have surgery with the ProDisc-L implant. If any of these factors apply to you or if you think that you have any special health issues, please inform your doctor.

For more information see the Synthes ProDisc website.