Well, I really blew it. I had a total disc replacement about three months ago. I went back to work as a construction laborer. The disc replacement shifted out of its spot when I was lifting a heavy load. I’m waiting to see the surgeon now. What’s the next step?

The new total disc replacements (TDR) offer patients with degenerative disc disease an option other than spinal fusion. The TDR allows the patient to keep motion fairly normal at the diseased level. At least, that’s the case for short-term to medium results. Long-term results are still being studied.

The limitations of TDR are also still being investigated. For example, how do these implants affect motion at other segments nearby? How much stress or strain can they take?

Your surgeon is the best one to advise you. Based on X-ray findings, you may be a candidate for revision surgery. If there are no other complications, the TDR may be removed and replaced with a new one. If there are risk factors, the TDR may have to be removed and the spine fused instead.