Disc Replacement Surgery

Prices in Germany are normally 75% below the cost of disc replacement surgery in the US and are individually quoted. They include all medical expenses, the artificial disc (any type the doctor and the patient select) the stay in hospital, semi-private room, meals, pre-op diagnosis, therapy, phone and English TV. We also save between 5,000 to 12,000 EUR per the first disc level over other high profile German spine centers.

• Disc Replacement Surgery: When is it needed?
• Disc Replacement Surgery: Why was it developed?
• Disc Replacement Surgery: Why is it needed?
• Disc Replacement Surgery and the FDA

Disc Replacement Surgery: When Is it Needed

Degenerative disc disease in the lower (lumbar) spine sometimes causes disabling, chronic low back pain. Although there are non-surgical therapies for this condition, they do not always lead to relief. In this event spinal fusion surgery is usually recommended. Unfortunately, spinal fusion has drawbacks.

First, the knitting or the "fusing" of the vertebrae is not always complete for each patient. Consequently, the average success rate of a lumbar spinal fusion is between 50%-55%. As a result the original symptoms may continue, grow or be somewhat abated. Secondly, multiple spinal fusion will cause stiffness and decreased motion and will transfer stress to other areas of the spine. Transferred stress may cause new problems to develop in other areas of the back.

Disc Replacement Surgery: Why was it Developed?

The artificial disc replacement surgery is the result of research intent on finding a better solution for degenerative disc disease and other maladies of the spinal disc.

Disc Replacement Surgery: Why is it Needed

In degenerative disc disease, the disc becomes deformed. This deformed disc causes vertebrae and discs to apply pressure to nerves and cause pain. This pain can be chronic. By reestablishing the original shape of the spine with a disc replacement, pressure on the nerves should be relieved. The artificial disc could potentially not only treat the underlying back pain, but also prevent problems from developing problems at an adjacent level of the spine.

Disc Replacement Surgery and the FDA

Prodisc-L Artificial Disc Replacement

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Prodisc-L for the lumbar and the Prodisc-C for the cervix; Artificial Disc (Synthesis) and the Charite' disc for use in treating pain associated with degenerative disc disease. The lumbar devices were approved for use at one level in the lumbar spine (from L4-S1) for patients who have had no relief from low back pain after at least six months of non-surgical treatment.

However in Germany where most of the research has been done, multiple-level ADR surgery has been approved for the lumber and cervical spine. Indeed, many more models of the artificial disc have been developed. See our Artifical Disc Replacement Page. Shown here is the Prodisc-L model, which consists of two metallic plates that have teeth to anchor the implant between the bones or vertebral bodies. For freedom of motion there is a synthetic core made of polyethylene (see Figure). A metal ring surrounds the outside of the synthetic core so that it can be located on x-ray, and protect and constrain the PE core (see Figure).

For a free evaluation of your treatment needs and cost, please contact us.

The information provided herein is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright © European Medical Tourist. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.