Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery Specialist Q&A

A lumbar disk replacement is a surgical procedure that targets the lower vertebrae in your spine.

Vertebrae are spinal bones that are stacked on top of one another, with disks acting as the cushions between them. These disks allow the spine to rotate and move without the vertebrae hitting one another. The lumbar refers to the vertebrae and disks that are located near the bottom of your spinal column. refer to are at the bottom of your spine.

Therefore, a lumbar disk replacement involves replacing inserting an artificial disk into the lower part of your spine to replace a natural one that has degenerated. It is considered a major surgery, requiring general anesthesia, surgical equipment, and a hospital stay.

A lumbar disk replacement is typically used to treat those that are experiencing severe issues in their lower back. After running the appropriate tests, your doctor will discuss the results and decide if this type of surgical intervention is necessary for you.

You may be a candidate for a lumbar disk replacement if:

• You have severe back pain caused by specific disks in your lower spine
• You don’t have joint disease
• You don’t have nerve compression in your spine
• You’re not significantly overweight
• You haven’t had spinal surgery before
• You don’t have scoliosis
• You don’t have a spinal deformity

Medical research and clinical studies have shown that a lumbar disc replacement typically has a high success rate of 88%. The FDA has gone on record stating that the success rate average is about 90%, with the average replacement disk averaging a 70-year lifespan.

While alternatives such as spinal fusion surgery have a success rate between 70-90%, disc replacement has shown to be a more effective and reliable procedure. For many, this makes it the preferred option as it shows more consistent results across the board.

Because a lumbar disc replacement surgery does not require the healing of bone, the recovery time is typically shorter and faster compared to other back surgeries. On average, recovery takes about 3 months. However, this can widely vary, with some patients recovering within 8-12 weeks.

Following the surgery, you’ll be required to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days under your physician’s care.

Patients can typically inhibit longer recovery times by ensuring that they’re safeguarding their overall health by making the appropriate lifestyle choices and following the aftercare instructions set out for them by their doctor. This includes taking medication as prescribed, going to physical therapy, and not over-exerting yourself during your recovery period.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a lumbar condition and are wondering if a disc replacement might be the right option for you, contact us at The Orthopedic Group. Our team of specialists would be happy to go over your options with you and walk you through the process in a clear and educational manner. Reach out to us today to speak to one of our professionals or book online to schedule an appointment/ consultation at your earliest convenience. We serve patients from Leesburg VA, Lansdowne VA, Stone Springs VA, Dulles, VA, Ashburn VA, Sterling VA, Aldie VA, South Riding VA, Herndon VA, Winchester VA, Reston VA, Chantilly VA, and nearby areas!