Spinal Disc Replacement
Artificial disc (also called a disc replacement, disc prosthesis or spine arthroplasty device) is a device that is implanted into the spine to imitate the functions of a normal disc (carry load and allow motion).
Types of spinal disc replacement
Total disc replacement
Disc nucleus replacement
In disc nucleus replacement, only the center of the disc (the nucleus) is removed and replaced with an implant, the outer part of the disc (the annulus) is not removed.
Artificial discs are usually made of metal or plastic-like (biopolymer) materials or a combination of the two. Disc replacement is commonly performed in the patients suffering with spondylolisthesis (the slipping of one vertebral body across a lower one), osteoporosis, vertebral body fracture, spinal tumor, spinal infection, morbid obesity, significant changes of the facet joints (joints in the back portion of the spine), chronic steroid use or autoimmune problems.