My back surgeon tells me with a new artificial disc, I’ll have enough motion that I can golf again. Right now, I can move okay. I’m just very slow because of the pain. Can this operation really restore my fast and easy golf swing?

More and more, patients are finding that an artificial disc replacement (ADR) is a good alternative to spinal fusion. Degenerative disc disease is the most common underlying problem for which ADR is used.

This procedure is quickly replacing spinal fusion for patients with degenerative disc disease who qualify. Motion is restored. Pain relief is a major benefit of ADR for many people.

In fact, with less pain, they can move more. There is an improvement in quantity and quality of motion. These benefits are not expected with spinal fusion. Once one level of the spine is fused, then motion is stopped at that level.

However, the load and force are then transferred to the next level. There is some concern about increased disc degeneration at the adjacent spinal levels after spinal fusion. This type of response is not expected with an ADR. Restoring motion at the damaged segment should relieve any extra load on adjacent levels.