More and more younger adults are asking this very question. The manufacturers of the artificial disc replacements (ADRs) are working to find a design that will do many things. First, it must give relief from the painful symptoms. And it must restore normal motion. Then it should perform well under years of high demands.
We don’t have long-term studies to guide us yet in choosing the right implant for each person. Right now, there are two types of ADRs on the market. The CHARITÉ disc replacement has a mobile-core design. This means it has a moving center of rotation and mimics normal motion more closely than the fixed-core type. PRODISC-L is a fixed-core implant. The center is a ball and socket design. The vertebral body moves around a fixed center.
A recent study comparing these two implant designs has offered some new insights. It appears that the mobile-core design significantly reduces the load and force transferred through the facet (spinal) joints. And this type of implant design can be placed anywhere in the disc space and still function well.
The fixed-core type of implant is much less forgiving. Even when placed in the center where it belongs, it still results in an increased compressive stress on the joints. From this study, it looks like the mobile-core design has less risk of wear and may last longer than the fixed-core type.
You may want to ask your surgeon which type he or she prefers and/or advises for you. The surgeon’s preferences and skill also factors in the final results. Your activity level will likely make a difference in how long any artificial implant lasts. You may be advised to modify some of your activities with an ADR.