Get Your Personalised Treatment Plan in Just 24 Hours.

Share your details to receive a personalised treatment plan, estimated costs, hospital recommendations, and expert guidance, “completely free.”

Your information is protected with HIPAA-compliant security standards. We only share your details with hospitals after your consent.

ALDR is a surgical method to implant an artificial disc in place of a damaged or worsened intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. The vertebrae, which are piled on top of one another, make up the spine; discs are like cushions between the vertebrae. They prevent the bones from rubbing against one another while allowing the vertebrae to move and rotate. At the base of the spine are the lumbar vertebrae and discs. Replacing a worn-out or degenerated disk in the lower portion of your spine with a metal or metal-and-plastic artificial disk is known as lumbar disk replacement. This Surgery aims to preserve spinal mobility while relieving persistent back pain.

ADR, or artificial lumbar disc replacement, is a surgical treatment used to treat degenerative disc degeneration (DDD) in the lumbar spine, which causes chronic lower back pain. This surgery replaces the injured disc with an artificial one that replicates the natural movement and function of a healthy disc instead of fusing the vertebrae. The main objective is to reduce pain while maintaining lower back motion, which is not possible with standard spinal fusion.

It might be time to see a spine specialist if your chronic lower back pain has not been relieved by non-surgical means such as medication, physical therapy, or spinal injections. Additional signs of a failing lumbar disc could include stiffness, decreased movement, or pain that radiates to the legs. You can consult with top spine specialists through MediGence to evaluate your condition and decide whether Artificial Lumbar Disc Replacement is your best course of action.

A thorough physical examination and imaging tests, such as an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray, are part of the preparation process to assess disc health and rule out other problems.

Incision: A small incision is made in the abdomen to access the spine from the front.
Disc Removal: The damaged disc is carefully removed.
Implant Insertion: An artificial disc, made of metal and/or medical-grade plastic, is inserted into the disc space.
Closure: The incision is closed, and a sterile dressing is applied.

The procedure typically takes 2 to 3 hours. Depending on their recovery speed, most patients stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days.

In contrast to spinal fusion, Artificial Lumbar Disc Replacement maintains the spine's natural motion. It frequently results in a quicker recovery and lowers the chance of adjacent segment degeneration. Most patients experience significant pain reduction, increased mobility, and a faster return to regular activities.

After surgery, recovery involves a day of mild mobility followed by a gradual return to regular activities over four to six weeks. Physical treatment might be recommended. First, you should avoid twisting and heavy lifting. Follow-up sessions are essential to track implant location and healing.

The success rate for artificial lumbar disc replacement is approximately 85–95% in carefully chosen individuals. Many people report improved function and long-term pain alleviation without requiring spinal fusion.