The prosthetic disc neucleus is reported to be 95% effective. Prices in Germany are normally 75% below the cost of a disc relacement therapy in the US and are individually quoted. They include all medical expenses, the hospital stay, surgeon's fees, operation room fees, anesthesia, anesthesiologist's fees, medicine, nursing, semi-private room, meals, pre-op diagnosis, local phone and English TV.

What Are Some of the Conditions that Lead to Prosthetic Disc Nucleus Surgery?

Most often degenerative disc disease in the lower (lumbar) spine sometimes causes disabling, chronic low back pain. Trauma from auto and other accidents can also cause an acceleration of degenerative disc disease. And although there are non-surgical therapies for this condition, they do not always lead to relief. This is when surgery is needed.

What Are the Alternatives to the Prosthetic Disc Nucleus?

When degenerative disc disease advances to the point of crippling pain, 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.

Who is Eligible for the Prosthetic Disc Nucleus?

Patients who have an intact or nearly intact annula are good candidate for this procedure, because the annula will contain the prosthetic disc nucleus.

Fig.1 Prosthetic Disc Nucleus (PDN)

How does the Prosthetic Disc Nucleus work?

The prosthetic disc nucleus (PDN) surgery is the result of research intent on finding a better solution for degenerative disc disease and other maladies the the spinal disc. It works by restoring the hieght of the natural disc. The restoration should relief pressure on the surrounding nerves, relieving pain, numbness and paralysis.

The Prosthetic Disc Nucleus (PDN) can be viewed as another artificial disc. However, instead of the entire disc being removed, with the PDN only the inner jelly material, or nucleus, is removed and is then replaced with two mini "pillows" (see Figure 1).

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