In-depth information about various types of artificial discs, clinical trials for artificial discs, and disc replacement surgeries for back pain relief
Artificial
disc for cervical disc replacement (Research
article)
April 4, 2007
The intent of the artificial cervical disc device is to preserve motion at the
disc space. It is an alternative to the use of bone grafts, plates and screws
in pursuit of a fusion following removal of a cervical disc. Read
more...
By: Mark Mikles, MD and Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD
Mobi-C® Cervical
Artificial Disc Replacement Clinical Trial
December 27, 2006
A clinical study of the Mobi-C® Cervical Artificial Disc for the
treatment of neck pain and possibly arm pain associated with degenerative disc
disease in the cervical spine. The Mobi-C® is a total disc replacement
for one or two damaged adjacent discs in the neck. Read
more...
Artificial disc replacement or spinal fusion: which is better for you?
December 18, 2006
Artificial disc replacement and lumbar spinal fusion are two surgical options for many patients with unremitting low back pain that has not improved with non-surgical treatments. This article discusses many considerations for patients to discuss with their surgeon prior to deciding if artificial disc replacement or lumbar spine fusion is best for them. Read more...
By: Jeffrey Spivak, MD
Deciding on surgery for degenerative
disc disease
November 9, 2006
If patients are making concessions in their everyday activities due to back pain
from a degenerated disc, then it is reasonable to consider back surgery. However,
prior to making the decision whether or not to have surgery a patient should
consider the following criteria. Read more...
By: Jack Zigler, MD
FDA approves the ProDisc lumbar artificial disc
August 21, 2006
On August 14, 2006, the PRODISC-L Total Disc Replacement became the second artificial disc approved by the U.S. FDA. The PRODISC-L is indicated for use at a single vertebral level as a treatment for patients with functionally disabling pain from lumbar degenerative disc disease. Read more...
By: Jack Zigler, MD
Cervical disc replacement update (Research article)
August 17, 2006
The goal in cervical disc replacement is to remove the problematic disc as well as provide a normal range of motion. The hope is that providing a normal range of motion can prevent the risk of adjacent level disease that can develop after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Read more...
By: Alok D. Sharan, MD and Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD
SECURE®-C
Cervical Artificial Disc Clinical Trial (sponsored
clinical trial listing)
February 28, 2006
The objective of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness
of the SECURE®-C Cervical Artificial Disc for the treatment of
symptomatic cervical disc disease as compared to anterior cervical discectomy
and fusion. Read more...
CerviCore™ Intervertebral
Disc Clinical Study (sponsored clinical trial
listing)
February 17, 2006
The study is a multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial
that will compare the safety and effectiveness of the CerviCore Intervertebral
Disc to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in the treatment of cervical
radicular symptoms. Read more...
Lumbar Artificial Disc Surgery for Chronic Back Pain (Research article)
August 4, 2005
An artificial disc offers several theoretical
benefits over spinal fusion for treatment of chronic back pain, including
the potential for enhanced pain relief and to avoid premature degeneration
at adjacent levels of the spine. This article provides an in-depth
review of lower back disc replacement surgery and clinical trials.
Read more...
By: Jack Zigler, MD
Disc nucleus replacement as an alternative
to artificial disc replacement (Research
article)
June 14, 2005
Disc nucleus replacement is a new type of surgery for low back pain from degenerative
disc disease. Unlike artificial disc replacement, which involves replacing the
entire disc, disc nucleus replacement surgery replaces just the inner part of
the disc. Read more...
By: John Sherman, MD
Spinal disc
replacement with the CHARITÉ Artificial Disc
Updated March 30, 2005
The goal of the CHARITÉ Artificial Disc replacement surgery is to reduce
or alleviate chronic low back pain from degenerative disc disease by restoring
the intervertebral disc height and neuroforaminal height while returning physiologic
motion (similar to that of a healthy disc) in that segment of the spine. This
artificial disc surgery requires complete removal of the unhealthy disc in order
to implant the new artificial disc. Read
more...
By: Paul McAfee, MD
All about the
Charité artificial disc: now approved for
use in the U.S.
November 17, 2004
Artificial disc replacement surgery is now available in the US for select patients
with ongoing back pain from degenerative disc disease. As with any new surgical
procedure, a number of factors should be considered before any patient has artificial
disc surgery, including the surgeon's relevant training, the surgeon's skills,
patient selection and appropriate indications, and more. Read
more...
By: Stephen Hochschuler, MD and Paul McAfee, MD
Minimally invasive
anterior approach to spine surgery
October 22 2004
The anterior approach to spine surgery allows the surgeon to have direct access
to the degenerated disc without having to manipulate any nerve roots. Better
correction of the collapsed disc to its native height can also be achieved by
having a better leverage point to open the disc space. Read
more...
By: Mark Mikles, MD and Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD
Charité™ Artificial Disc (Sponsored
clinical trial listing)
May 16, 2003
The Charité Artificial Disc is an investigational
device limited by US (Federal) law to investigational use in the USA. Read
more...
Update
on artificial discs (Research article)
April 28, 2000
The main objective of an artificial disc is to replace
a painful disc while maintaining the natural anatomical
structure of the spine. The procedure is being developed
as an alternative to lumbar spine fusion. Read
more...
By: Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD
The information provided by Spine-Health in this Clinical Trials listing section is designed to help patients find clinical trials that are ongoing in the field of spine medicine, and to provide information to help patients contact the centers conducting the research. Spine-Health is not involved in conducting any of these trials and is not promoting the trials or research.
This is a listing of industry-sponsored clinical trials that are actively recruiting patients. These clinical trial listings are not edited or peer-reviewed by Spine-health.com.
Artificial
disc replacement surgery vs. fusion surgery: Patients
vote
January 20, 2006
Nearly half of Spine-health.com's poll respondents said they are postponing
spine fusion surgery in the hope of having artificial disc surgery instead.
Artificial discs are designed to mimic the natural motion of the spine, so
patients should have greater mobility than with fusion surgery. However, there
are still unknowns about this relatively new technique. Read more...
Spine fusion surgery versus artificial disc replacement for low back pain:
Back Pain Radio transcript
The decision to undergo a spine fusion surgery or
artificial disc replacement surgery depends much on the patient’s anatomy,
but also on the individual’s
goals and needs. Read what Michael Janssen, DO, a Colorado orthopedic
spine surgeon and member of Spine-health.com, and Grant Cooper, MD, host of
Back Pain Radio, had to say on the June 20, 2005 show. Read
transcript...
Back-to-Back: Artificial discs and disc replacement surgery
In this section, patients share their advice and experiences with artificial discs, clinical trials and recovery from disc replacement surgery. Be sure to submit your own response as a resource for other patients considering artificial discs! Read more...
Back Pain Radio transcript: deciding on artificial disc replacement surgery
April 20, 2005
The decision to have artificial disc surgery is based on a combination of the patient’s history, response to conservative treatments and results from diagnostic tests, such as an MRI scan, x-ray and discogram. Read what Justin Tortolani, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon in Maryland and a member of Spine-health.com, and Grant Cooper, M.D., host of Back Pain Radio, had to say about the decision process for when to have artificial disc replacement surgery on the April 18, 2005 show. Read transcript…
Degenerative disc disease – The doctor is in!
April 19, 2005
This section addresses patients’ questions about degenerative disc disease diagnosis and treatment, with answers provided by Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon and Medical Director for Spine-health.com. Patients’ inquiries about degenerative disc disease were submitted by e-mail, and we’ve published answers to some common questions here. Read more…
New advancement in back care- Spine-health.com Newsletter
Recently there has been a great deal of media coverage about the potential upsides of the artificial disc and disc replacement surgery, as well as new developments for other types of spine surgery. This newsletter highlights new surgical techniques (including artificial discs and IDET) to help patients decide on the best treatment options for their back problems. Read more…
Understanding disc pain - Spine-health.com Newsletter
Pain generated by the spinal disc (from degenerative disc disease, a herniated disc, and other conditions) is quite often misunderstood. The goal of this newsletter is to help you better understand how the disc can cause pain and what’s important to know about it before undergoing treatment such as artificial disc replacement surgery. Read more...
New advancements in spine surgery - Spine-health.com Newsletter
Several important new spine surgery technologies (such as artificial disc replacement) are in various stages of development and you may want to consider these when making any decision about your treatment options. As with anything new in spine surgery, most of the information on the following developments remains theoretical, and longer term studies and follow-up are needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of each procedure. Read more...
Please note that these additional patient resources (such as The Back-to-Back Forum and Newsletters) on Spine-health.com are not peer-reviewed by the Spine-health.com Medical Advisory Board. They are provided as additional resources for patients to learn from the experiences of others and to gain information from our popular newsletters.
