Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement
The artificial disc represents the best alternative to date for spinal fusion surgery. Each year in the U.S., more than 200,000 spinal fusion surgeries are performed to relieve excruciating pain caused by damaged discs in the low back and neck areas.

During a fusion procedure, the damaged disc is typically replaced with bone from a patient’s hip or from a bone bank. Fusion surgery causes two vertebrae to become locked in place, putting additional stress on discs above and below the fusion site, which restricts movement and can lead to further disc herniation. An artificial disc replacement, however, is designed to duplicate the function level of a normal, healthy disc and retain motion in the spine.

Some experts estimate that over the next 10 years, more than half of patients who would otherwise receive a fusion will receive an artificial disc instead. Educated consumers nationwide are expected to migrate towards regional spine centers of excellence for access to this latest technological advance in spine care.