Am I a candidate for Disc Replacement Surgery?
When asking the question “Am I a candidate for Disc Replacement surgery?” we need to look at the full scope of spine surgery options and you must understand where you are in the progression of the degenerative process. Early stage, moderate to severe, or moderate to severe degeneration with significant instability.Early Stage Degeneration
In the early stages of degeneration often a minimally invasive procedure can be done to relieve pain or remove disc herniations. However, while these surgeries may be considered successful, it is understood that they are temporary solutions and symptoms will likely reoccur. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
Moderate to Severe Degeneration
As the degeneration increases, minimally invasive procedures become less indicated and may even be recommended in error.
Often surgeons who do minimally invasive surgeries exclusively will offer a surgical option that is not the best long term solution.
In cases of moderate to severe degeneration, we now are considering, is the spine stable enough that motion preserving options like disc replacement can be the best solution.
It is critical that your surgeon has extensive experience with fusion, disc replacement options. and hybrid disc replacement/fusion solutions. Motion-Preserving Surgeries
Designed to maintain flexibility in the spine, rather than fusing bones together. Examples:
•   Artificial disc replacement: Damaged cervical or lumbar discs are replaced with synthetic devices.
See BAGUERA® DISC REPLACEMENT >   See ProDisc Disc Replacement >
Moderate to Severe Degeneration where Significant Instability is presentHybrid Disc Replacement Fusion Surgery
Hybrid disc replacement fusion surgery, which combines disc replacement at one or more levels with fusion at others, shows promising long-term success, particularly in treating multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease.
Learn More > >Spinal Fusion Surgeries
Again, surgeons who have extensive experience with spinal fusion may recommend it without considering disc replacement, or may not consider disc replacement due to insurance issues or inexperience with motion preserving options.
It is critical that your surgeon have experience and competence with the entire spectrum of surgical options available, and be free from influence from non-medical restrictions.Get the Best Surgeon
Our Surgeon Dr. Ritter-Lang will create your spine solution from an extensive list of globally available device options. Disc replacement at levels adjacent to previously fused levels, even multi device disc replacement plus fusion procedures, for more advanced multi-level cases, are done with great success.
Even multi-level solutions that include Disc Replacement, Disc Nucleus Augmentation and new Fusion Technology, as appropriate for each individual level, are offered.
Disc replacement surgery requires a high level of experience, to get the correct diagnosis and surgery plan, avoid risks to vital organs, and carefully balance proper implant placement with the resulting impact of the procedure on the spine.
“Dr. Ritter-Lang gave me a solution that I was not being offered by my doctors in the US” Jim Rider – My Story >
Complete the form below to begin your Advanced Disc Replacement journey.
