Consider anterior lumbar total disc arthroplasty if you suffer from chronic back pain and it fails to improve with conservative treatments like physical therapy and cortisone injections. At Coastal Spine, integrated pain management specialists regularly use anterior lumbar total disc arthroplasty to relieve pain and help patients achieve a better quality of life. Call the office in Mount Laurel, Swell, Galloway, Wall Township, or Vineland New Jersey, today to request an anterior lumbar total disc arthroplasty. You can also make an appointment online
Anterior lumbar total disc arthroplasty, or total disc replacement, is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a damaged or diseased intervertebral disc with an artificial disc. The replacement mimics the movement and durability of your natural disc, relieving pain and restoring your range of motion.
Coastal Spine only recommends anterior lumbar total disc arthroplasty after exhausting all other treatments first. Most causes of back pain improve with conservative measures like losing weight, strengthening the core muscles, and practicing good posture.
To qualify for surgery, you need to be healthy and not smoke. Smoking increases your risk of complications and interferes with recovery.
Your Coastal Spine provider tells you how to prepare for surgery. They make recommendations based on your lifestyle and health.
For example, if you take medicines like blood thinners, you might need to stop them since they increase the risk of postoperative bleeding and bruising. If you drink alcohol, stop it several days before surgery because it raises the chances of infection.
Anterior lumbar total disc arthroplasty is an outpatient procedure that takes one to three hours.
Your Coastal Spine surgeon administers a general anesthetic, putting you to sleep. They make a small incision above your intervertebral disc. Your surgeon removes the disc and replaces it with an artificial one.
The artificial disc has three parts –– two metal plates and a plastic core between them. The metal plates connect to your vertebrae, holding the artificial disc in place. Your bone will gradually fuse with the plates, increasing their strength.
After placing the artificial disc, your surgeon closes the incision and moves you to a recovery room for observation.
After total disc replacement, it’s normal to experience pain and weakness for several weeks. Get plenty of rest, take your medication as prescribed, and attend each of your physical therapy sessions.
Call the nearest Coastal Spine office today to learn more about anterior lumbar total disc arthroplasty, or make your appointment online.