What Is an Artificial Disc?

An artificial disc is a prosthetic device inserted between the vertebrae to replace a natural spinal disc. It is designed to preserve mobility throughout the treated vertebral segment.

If non-surgical therapies fail to provide relief from acute disc herniation, your doctor may recommend spine surgery. The goal of surgery is to remove all or part of a damaged disc (discectomy), relieve pressure on the nerves and/or spinal cord (decompression), and to restore spinal stability and alignment after the disc has been removed.

This type of joint replacement procedure, or arthroplasty, involves inserting an artificial disc into the intervertebral space after a natural spinal disc has been removed.

The device is designed to preserve mobility within the disc space and throughout the treated vertebral segment. It is designed to function like a joint, providing motion (flexion, extension, side bending, and rotation) and alignment (height and curvature) of a natural disc.

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• About Artificial Discs
• What Is It?
• Frequently Asked Questions

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