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Nucleus Replacement, Disc Stabilization Arthroplasty

One of the next major advances in spinal surgery will be in the area of nucleus replacement or disc stabilization arthroplasty. You can think of it as a partial artificial disc replacement. The advantage of this approach is that it can be performed minimally invasively through either a back, sideways, or front approach. By replacing only the nucleus, or center part of the disc, less of the normal disc structure is altered or involved with the surgery. A number of implants are available internationally and are just starting to be investigated under the FDA in the USA.

The underling concept is that by inserting a device that replaces the nucleus, stability will return to the disc space thereby slowing down the degenerative process and the other problems associated with it such as spinal stenosis. Further, this procedure can be used to treat either herniated discs, degenerative discs, or both together. It can also be used to effectively treat recurrent disc herniations. Either one or multiples levels can be treated in one operation.

Disc Stabilization Arthroplasty can treat the following conditions:

Herniated Intervertebral Disc
Degenerative Disc Disease