Lumbar Disc Replacement

When patients seek lumbar disc replacement surgery, New Jersey orthopedic surgeon Dr. Joshua Rovner provides highly-specialized surgical expertise that patients trust. As a highly-regarded and award-winning spine surgeon in NJ, lumbar disc replacement surgery is one procedure that Dr. Rovner specializes in.

About Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery

Lumbar disc replacement is procedure of the lower lumbar spine that replaces damaged, pain-inducing discs with stronger artificial discs. Similar to all forms of surgery, lumbar disc replacement is only recommended if all other non-surgical treatment methods have not created sustainable changes.

Benefits of Lumbar Disc Replacement

After patients undergo lumbar disc replacement surgery, they are often relieved of pain they’re experiencing in low back, hips, and/or legs as a result of herniated discs or degenerative disc disease. The damaged disc irritates spinal nerves that have roots in the spinal cord near the disc. By removing it, the pressure on the nerve is released and the pain will be relieved.

An additional benefit of lumbar disc replacement over discectomy and fusion is preserving greater range of motion in the low back and spine. This surgical procedure can also result in faster healing times and can decrease the chances of other discs in your neck degenerating.

Dr. Rovner will explore this option with you during your consultation. But he will only recommend it as a last resort when non-surgical treatment options have failed and if this is the appropriate treatment for your individual problem.

Struggling with Back Pain? Lumbar Disc Replacement May Be the Answer - Dr. Rovner

What Is an Artificial Disc?

Between each pair of vertebrae is a natural, soft cushioning structure called an intervertebral disc, which helps your spine bend and absorb shock. These discs have two essential parts:

Annulus: The tough outer layer, comparable to several layers of canvas tightly wrapped around the center.
Nucleus: The softer gel center that helps maintain flexibility and absorbs impact.

When a disc becomes severely damaged or diseased, an artificial disc can be implanted to replicate its functions—maintaining space between the vertebrae and allowing motion in the spine.

Artificial disc replacement (ADR) involves surgically removing and replacing the damaged disc with an implant. Often made of metal, plastic-like (biopolymer) materials, or a combination, these implants help restore disc height, maintain proper spine alignment, and reduce stress on adjacent spinal levels—all while preserving or closely imitating the spine’s natural range of motion.

This involves:

Carefully removing the problematic disc and any fragments pressing on spinal nerves
Inserting the artificial disc—often composed of two endplates and a flexible spacer—so the vertebrae can move around it with less friction or pain

Lumbar Disc Surgery: What to Expect Disc Replacement Surgery New Jersey

At Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics in New Jersey, we use state-of-the-art technology and spine surgery procedures. This enables patients of disc replacement surgery to go home the same day or just one day after the procedure and return to your normal life quickly in most cases. You should feel some relief from your arm and neck pain almost immediately. This all depends on how long you were experiencing your symptoms and how irritated your spinal nerves were by the herniated disc.

Of course, you’ll receive more detailed and specific instructions for your recovery from Dr. Rovner after the procedure. He’ll be happy to answer any and all questions you have. You’ll be scheduled for post-surgery appointments to verify that your recovery is going as expected.

When you pursue lumbar disc surgery with our practice, Dr. Rovner will be an active role in all aspects of your care, from your first consultation, through choosing your treatment plan, and through your recovery.

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Traditional Spinal Fusion vs. Artificial Disc Replacement

Based on radiographic imaging, spinal fusion has been a long-standing, successful treatment for degenerative disc disease, boasting a 95% success rate. However, it permanently fuses the vertebrae at the operated level, limiting motion and potentially placing more stress on neighboring discs.

By contrast, total disc replacement (TDR):
Aims to relieve pain by removing the damaged disc
Preserves motion at the treated segment using a specialized implant
Avoids permanent fusion, screws, or rods
Potentially reduces stress on adjacent segments, possibly lowering the chance of future disc issues

Artificial Disc Replacement vs. Lumbar Disc Replacement

“Artificial disc replacement” is a broader term referring to the surgical procedure of replacing any damaged spinal disc with an artificial one
This can be done in various areas of the spine (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar)
“Lumbar disc replacement” specifically refers to an artificial disc procedure performed in the lower back (lumbar spine)
In other words, all lumbar disc replacements are considered artificial disc replacements, but not all artificial disc replacements involve the lumbar spine

Am I a Good Candidate?

You might be a good candidate if:

You’ve had severe pain for six months or more
You’ve already tried physical therapy, injections, medications, or other conservative measures without adequate relief
Imaging tests (MRI, CT) show a markedly deteriorated or herniated disc that’s causing your symptoms (pain, numbness, or weakness)
You have Lumbar Disc Degeneration, a single-level lumbar disc issue causing chronic low back pain and limited mobility
You have Cervical Disc Degeneration, a single-level degenerative disc disease in the neck, often presenting with radiculopathy (arm pain, numbness, tingling)

No Screws, No Rods: Preserve Motion and Avoid Fusion.

Unlike traditional spinal fusion techniques, which rely on rods, screws, or plates to permanently fuse the affected vertebrae together, ADR uses a specially-designed implant that allows the spine to continue moving naturally. Here’s how it works:

Artificial disc implants do not require hardware that holds the bones in a fixed position, reducing the risk of potential complications associated with such hardware
Because your vertebrae are not fused, you maintain a greater range of motion at the treated level
Preserving motion can also lessen the stress on adjacent discs, which may help prevent additional disc problems in the future

A Permanent Treatment With High Success Rates

Artificial disc replacement procedures—especially in the lumbar region—have shown very high success rates in reducing or eliminating back pain permanently or long-term. Because the goal of disc replacement is to preserve normal spinal function, these procedures can help you get back to your daily activities without recurring or chronic pain.

Outpatient Surgery With No Hospital Stay

Many artificial disc replacement procedures can be done as outpatient surgeries, meaning no extended hospital stay is usually required. Patients often go home the same day or the next day, making the recovery process more comfortable and convenient. This also reduces hospital-related costs and stress.

When You Need Lumbar Disc Replacement in New Jersey

If you're looking for a long-term solution for chronic back pain that preserves natural spine movement without screws or rods, artificial disc replacement might be ideal. This outpatient surgery has high success rates and enables a quick return to daily activities with minimal restrictions, providing effective relief and helping you regain mobility.

Dr. Joshua Rovner is a board-certified spine surgeon in NJ specializing in treating neck and back pain through non-surgical and surgical methods. He emphasizes a personalized, patient-centered approach to accurately diagnosing and addressing issues such as deformities, trauma, and degenerative conditions. While Dr. Rovner generally prefers conservative treatments, he employs the latest surgical techniques when necessary to achieve the best possible outcomes.

To determine if you qualify for artificial or lumbar disc replacement, call 201.227.1299 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Joshua Rovner at Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics in New Jersey. We are dedicated to helping you live an active and pain-free life!

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