A person suffering from lower back, arm, neck, or leg pain may be diagnosed with a herniated disc.  In order to truly understand what this means, it is important to know what a disc is made up of and what the functions are of a healthy disc.   A disc is made up of a tough outer core and a gel-like inner material.   A disc functions as a spacer, shock absorber, and motion unit.

Artificial disc replacement surgery is a more invasive surgery.  The intended purpose of this herniated disc surgery is to restore the disc height while also restoring the physiologic motion that a person would have with a healthy disc.  Artificial disc replacement surgery is a type of joint replacement, which will involve inserting the artificial disc into the intervertebral space.   Therefore, the original unhealthy disc will be removed so that a new artificial one can be implanted.

The artificial disk is designed to function like a joint.  It will provide motion, such as:  flexion, extension, side bending, and rotation.  It will also provide height and curvature alignment to resemble the natural disc.

The majority of people diagnosed with a herniated disc will not have to be subjected to surgery.  Those that pass the qualifications for a surgery will be given surgical options.  The more traditional open back surgery is not as common today because of the risks involved, as well as the longer recovery time and hospitalization requirement.

The non-traumatic surgeries available for people require a less invasive incision.  Because of this, the recovery time is almost immediate and requires no hospital time.  In fact, most people will go home the same day and will only require a band-aid over the incision.