I’ve been looking into getting a disc replacement for a back problem I’ve had for 10 years. I’ve been told more surgery might be needed after that. How likely is a second operation after a disc replacement? What would it be for?

Artificial disc replacement (ADR) is fairly new (approved in October 2004). Not everyone is a good candidate for this treatment. Patients are selected carefully based on bone strength, attitude, and overall health.

Since ADR is so new, results of long-term studies aren’t ready yet. We do know a second surgery after spinal FUSION is needed in up to 30 percent of patients. The hope is that this number would be much less with ADR.

Revision surgery after ADR would be needed if the implant slips or collapses. Bone fracture may require removal of the implant. Studies done so far show that patients with
mild malpositions of the implant do just fine when it’s left in place. A second surgery isn’t always needed for this problem.