Take Back Your Life with prodisc L Total Disc Replacement
Relieve pain. Preserve motion. Return to activity.
What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)?
Normally, the disc sandwiched between each vertebra provides the cushioning space that keeps the bones separated. Degenerative Disc Disease, or DDD, is a condition that can occur when the discs in your spine no longer function normally because of aging, wear, or from being injured. This can cause pain that limits your ability to perform daily activities. This condition can often be treated non-surgically with medications, physical therapy, spinal injections, chiropractic care, braces, exercise programs, or rest. However, in some cases, the symptoms may not improve or may get worse, and then your doctor may suggest surgery. The traditional surgery for DDD has been spinal fusion surgery. In spinal fusion surgery, the unhealthy disc is removed, the bones are held in position with medical devices, and a bone graft is placed in the area. In most cases, the bone for the graft is obtained from the patient’s hip bone through a separate incision. After surgery, bone is supposed to grow between the two vertebrae, creating one solid piece of bone. If you have fusion surgery, it may take your pain away, but you may have less motion in your back. Another option your doctor may consider is surgery with an artificial disc replacement device. The prodiscL Total Disc Replacement is one artificial disc replacement device.
Treatment Options for Degenerative Disc Disease
Non-Surgical Treatments
Many patients find relief with:
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Spinal injections
- Bracing
- Exercise or rest
If symptoms persist despite at least six months of non-surgical care, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Traditional Surgery: Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion removes the damaged disc and fuses the adjacent vertebrae together using bone grafts and implants. While fusion can relieve pain, it often reduces motion in the treated segment of the spine.
Alternative: prodisc L Total Disc Replacement
The prodisc L Total Disc Replacement is an artificial lumbar disc designed to replace a damaged disc while preserving motion. Unlike fusion, this procedure does not require bone grafts from your hip.
How prodisc L Works
The prodisc L is a ball-and-socket implant made of:
- Metal endplates (Cobalt Chromium Molybdenum alloy) coated with titanium to promote bone attachment
- Polyethylene inlay (plastic) that snap-locks into the lower endplate, forming the ball of the joint
Keels on the endplates help secure the implant to the vertebrae.
Motion after surgery:
- Flexion/extension (forward/backward bending)
- Lateral bending (side-to-side movement)
Who is a Candidate?
You may be considered for prodisc L if:
- You have DDD at one or two levels between L3 and S1
- Non-surgical treatments have failed for at least six months
- Imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI) confirms disc degeneration
- You are skeletally mature
You should not have this surgery if you:
- Have infection, osteoporosis, or spinal stenosis
- Are allergic to implant materials
- Have nerve compression or vertebral fractures that require other procedures
- Have vertebrae too small for the implant
- Have instability like spondylolisthesis
Board-certified spine surgeon Edward Jung, MD, MS can help determine if prodisc L is appropriate for you.
Risks and Considerations
As with any surgery, there are potential risks, including:
- Injury to surrounding organs, nerves, or blood vessels
- Neurological issues (tingling, weakness, paralysis)
- Device-related complications (misplacement, loosening, breakage)
- Additional surgeries or failure to relieve pain
- General surgical risks (infection, bleeding, anesthesia reaction, blood clots)
Your surgeon will discuss these risks in detail and review the device package insert.
Clinical Evidence & Effectiveness
U.S. Clinical Trials:
- One-Level Study: 162 prodisc L patients vs. 80 fusion patients
- Two-Level Study: 161 prodisc L patients vs. 68 fusion patients
Key 2-Year Results:
- 81.8% of one- and two-level patients saw meaningful improvement in function (Oswestry Disability Index)
- 73.9% experienced reduction in back and leg pain, compared to 60.7% of fusion patients
- 74% maintained or improved range of motion after surgery
- Fewer patients needed narcotic pain medication compared to fusion
- Majority of patients would choose surgery again
Potential Benefits of prodisc L
- Relief from lower back and leg pain
- Restoration of spinal motion
- Minimized tingling or numbness
- Return to normal work, family, and recreational activities
- Avoids hip bone grafts needed for fusion
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens before your surgery?
Your medical history is extremely important to the success of the operation. Before surgery, your doctor will consider your occupation and activity level, your overall health, the condition of other levels of your spine, any medications you are taking, and any allergies you have to determine the best course of treatment for you. Your doctor will also discuss the procedure at length as well as its potential risks and benefits.
In order to be adequately prepared for your recovery following surgery, it may be necessary to make some minor adjustments within your home and arrange for someone to help you. This includes moving any overhead items to an area that can be easily reached and moving items that could potentially cause you to lose your balance or fall.
What happens during your surgery?
Your doctor will remove the prodisc L Total Disc Replacement implant pieces from their inner packaging, being careful to keep them clean (sterile) and undamaged.
You will be placed under general anesthesia. Even though you are having lower back surgery, your surgery will be performed through an incision in your abdomen. You will be lying on your back.
During your surgery, the doctor will remove the unhealthy disc. Trials will be used to determine the appropriate implant size and your unhealthy disc will be replaced with the prodisc L Total Disc Replacement device. After insertion, your incision will be closed.
What happens after your surgery?
Surgery with the prodisc L Total Disc Replacement is considered major surgery. As with any major surgery, you should expect some discomfort as well as a period of rehabilitation. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to help you manage any pain or nausea you may experience. You should expect to stay in the hospital for at least a few days. The average hospital stay for disc replacement surgery patients in the clinical study for the prodisc L Total Disc Replacement was about 3.5 days (range: 1.0–10.0 days). Prior to going home, you will be taught how to care for your incision, and you and your doctor should discuss a plan to gradually bring you back to your normal activity level. It is very important that you follow your surgeon’s instructions. Try not to do too much, too soon.
When Can I Travel After prodisc L Total Disc Replacement Surgery?
Ask your doctor when you can start driving after surgery. The amount of time needed to recover from surgery differs from patient to patient.
Contact your local airport if you will be traveling following implantation of your device. Due to increased security, airport personnel will be able to provide appropriate guidance on passing through security with a metallic device in your spine.
Next Steps
If you are suffering from chronic lower back pain or nerve-related symptoms, discuss prodisc L Total Disc Replacement with Dr. Jung in Seattle. He can determine if you are a candidate, review imaging, and explain the potential risks and benefits based on your individual condition.
Take back your life. Consider prodisc L as an alternative to spinal fusion and preserve motion in your spine.