BENEFITS

BENEFITS

1) Preserve Motion: Unlike lumbar fusion surgery, which permanently eliminates motion at the treated spinal level, lumbar disc replacement preserves natural movement of the lower back. Maintaining motion may reduce abnormal stress on adjacent spinal segments and help decrease the risk of adjacent segment degeneration over time.

2) Decrease Pain: By removing the pain-generating degenerated disc and restoring disc height and alignment, lumbar disc replacement can significantly reduce chronic low back pain and, in some cases, associated leg symptoms. Many patients experience meaningful improvements in daily function and quality of life following surgery.

3) Faster Recovery: Because lumbar disc replacement does not require bone fusion, recovery is often faster than traditional fusion surgery. Patients may return to normal activities sooner, with less postoperative stiffness and earlier restoration of mobility when compared to fusion in appropriately selected cases.

RISKS

1) Implant Wear and Failure: Artificial lumbar disc implants are designed for durability; however, they may not last indefinitely. Over time, implant wear, loosening, or mechanical failure may occur and could require revision surgery.

2) Persistent or Recurrent Pain: While lumbar disc replacement is effective for properly selected patients, not all patients achieve complete pain relief. Ongoing back pain or new symptoms may occur, particularly if pain arises from other spinal structures such as facet joints.

3) Surgical Complications: As with any spinal surgery, risks include infection, bleeding, nerve or vascular injury, implant subsidence or migration, and anesthesia-related complications. When performed by an experienced spine surgeon such as Dr. Brandon A. Ortega, these risks are minimized through meticulous technique and careful patient selection.