Lumbar disc arthroplasty — also called lumbar total disc replacement — replaces a diseased lumbar disc with an FDA-approved artificial disc implant, restoring disc height and preserving natural motion at the treated level. It is an alternative to lumbar fusion for carefully selected patients with single-level lumbar disc disease causing back and leg pain.
What Is Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty?
Lumbar disc arthroplasty is performed through an anterior (front-of-the-abdomen) approach, typically in collaboration with a vascular or general surgeon who provides access to the lumbar spine. The diseased disc is removed in its entirety, and an artificial disc prosthesis — composed of metal endplates and a mobile polymer core — is implanted between the vertebrae. The implant replicates the load-bearing and motion-allowing functions of the natural disc.
Unlike lumbar fusion, which eliminates motion at the treated segment and can transfer stress to adjacent levels over time, disc arthroplasty preserves physiologic range of motion. Clinical studies have demonstrated equivalent or superior outcomes to fusion for appropriately selected patients at 5 and 7-year follow-up, with potentially lower rates of adjacent segment disease.
Patient selection is critical. Lumbar disc arthroplasty is most effective for younger patients (typically under 60) with single-level symptomatic disc disease, without significant facet joint arthritis, spinal instability, or deformity that would require fusion. Dr. Chavarria evaluates each patient's imaging and clinical presentation individually to determine whether arthroplasty or fusion is the better match.
Are You a Candidate?
- Patients under age 60 with single-level lumbar disc disease causing back pain and/or radiculopathy
- Patients without significant lumbar facet arthritis, instability, or spondylolisthesis
- Patients who have failed at least 6 months of conservative treatment (physical therapy, injections, medications)
- Patients who want to preserve lumbar motion and potentially reduce adjacent segment stress compared to fusion
- Patients without severe osteoporosis that would compromise implant fixation
What to Expect
Pre-operative: MRI and CT are reviewed to confirm facet joint health and disc-level candidacy. Vascular anatomy is assessed. Dr. Chavarria discusses the differences between arthroplasty and fusion at your consultation.
Day of surgery: The procedure takes 2–3 hours under general anesthesia. An incision is made in the lower abdomen and the vascular and visceral structures are carefully moved aside to access the spine. The disc is removed and the implant is precisely positioned. A one-night hospital stay is typical.
First 2–4 weeks: Activity is restricted to walking — avoid heavy lifting, bending, and twisting. Abdominal soreness and retrograde ejaculation risk (rare, due to proximity of sympathetic nerves) are discussed pre-operatively. A follow-up X-ray is obtained at 6 weeks.
3–6 months: Most patients return to office work within 3–4 weeks and more physical activities at 6–12 weeks. Serial X-rays confirm implant position and motion is maintained. Physical therapy focusing on lumbar stabilization begins at 6–8 weeks.
Why Choose Dr. Chavarria for Your Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty in Reno?
- Preserves natural lumbar motion at the treated level
- May reduce long-term adjacent segment disease compared to fusion
- Full disc removal — eliminates the pain source entirely
- FDA-approved implants with 7+ years of clinical evidence
- Equivalent or superior outcomes to fusion in appropriately selected patients
- Faster return to activity compared to lumbar fusion