T o t a l D i s c R e p l a c e m e n t A BETTER SURGICAL SOLUTION FOR LOW BACK PAIN? What is a total disc replacement? In many ways, a total disc replacement is similar to a hip or knee replacement. It is implanted to replace a moving joint, in this case the intervertebral disc, which is the shock absorber between the bones of the spine. Degenerative disc disease is a condition where the intervertebral disc wears out and becomes painful, and is the most common cause of chronic low back pain in the young and middle aged. In addition to low back pain, people can also experience leg pain or sciatica due to the irritation or compression of their spinal nerves. The total disc replacement is designed to replace the painful disc and restore the normal disc space, thereby relieving both the symptoms of low back pain and leg pain. It is a surgical solution for individuals with degenerative disc disease who are unsuccessful in managing their condition non-operatively. Is a total disc replacement the same as a fusion? No, there are some differences. Fusion surgery can also be used for degenerative disc disease but, with a fusion, the motion of the spine is lost at the fused level. This places more stress on the adjacent levels of the spine, as they try and compensate for the fused level. In contrast, total disc replacement surgery maintains motion at the level of surgery and does not put extra stress on adjacent levels of the spine. Assistant Professor Laurence McEntee, Spine Surgeon If you suffer from low back pain that is interfering with your daily life, this minimally invasive procedure with a quick recovery period could be the answer for you. pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 19
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Eight
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