I heard a special report that they can do disc transplantation now. I just had a artificial disc replacement. I was told if it doesn’t hold or doesn’t work for any reason, there are still some treatment options left. What if the donated disc dies? What happens then?

Human-to-human disc transplantation has only been done in five adults so far. The results after five years have been very encouraging, but there remain some unknown factors.

So far, animal studies have led scientists to believe that 70 to 80 per cent of the transplanted disc cells survive. This means the majority of disc cells remain to preserve disc function.

Based on animal studies, we also know the recipient (person receiving the disc) won’t experience a rejection reaction like with so many other types of transplanted tissue.

The adult disc has special immune status. This is because it doesn’t have a blood supply. The blood is needed to deliver cells from the immune system that create an immune reaction.

Disc transplantation can be revised. If the disc degenerates or prolapses or fails for any reason, the spine can still be fused. If the patient is eligible, a total disc replacement may also be possible.