Back or neck pain can make it difficult to sit through a workday, turn your head comfortably, or stay active. When surgery becomes part of the conversation, understanding how treatment may affect your movement and recovery matters.
At Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute, Dwight S. Tyndall, MD, FAAOS, focuses on spine care that uses advanced technology to treat the source of pain while preserving healthy tissue and movement whenever possible. For select patients, artificial disc replacement supports this goal by offering an alternative to spinal fusion.
How Artificial Disc Replacement Preserves Movement
The discs between the bones of your spine act as cushions and allow your back and neck to move. When a disc wears down or becomes damaged, it may contribute to pain and, in some cases, pressure on nearby nerves.
Artificial disc replacement removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an implant designed to allow movement between the bones at that part of the spine. This is called motion preservation. Dr. Tyndall performs disc replacement in both the cervical spine, or neck, and the lumbar spine, or lower back. The evaluation and surgical approach differ for each area.
Artificial Disc Replacement vs Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion joins two or more bones so they heal together, stopping movement at the treated level. That added stability can be helpful when movement contributes to pain or the spine needs support. Disc replacement has a different goal: treating the damaged disc while maintaining movement at that level.
Preserving motion may also reduce added stress on the levels above and below the treated disc. This is a potential benefit, not a guarantee that nearby discs will avoid wear over time. Fusion remains an important option when the spine cannot safely support continued movement.
Disc Technology Matched to Your Spine
Dr. Tyndall uses Centinel Spine’s prodisc C viro for cervical disc replacement and prodisc L implant for lumbar disc replacement. Their ball-and-socket design allows controlled movement, while different sizes and configurations help match the implant to a patient’s anatomy.
Cervical Disc Replacement for Neck and Arm Symptoms
A damaged disc in the neck can affect more than neck movement. When it places pressure on a nearby nerve, it may cause pain, numbness, or weakness that travels into the arm. For appropriate patients whose symptoms have not improved with nonsurgical care, cervical disc replacement may offer relief while preserving movement at the treated level.
Dr. Tyndall performs the procedure through the front of the neck, working between surrounding tissues to reach the damaged disc. He removes the disc to relieve pressure on the nerves and replaces it with an artificial disc. For cervical procedures, he uses the prodisc C Vivo implant, which comes in different sizes to fit each patient’s anatomy.
Some patients can have cervical disc replacement on an outpatient basis, allowing them to go home the same day. Other spine procedures may require a hospital stay. The plan depends on the procedure, your overall health and how you recover immediately after surgery.
A Muscle-Preserving Approach to Lumbar Disc Replacement
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments to limit disruption to muscles and surrounding tissue. Depending on the procedure, this may support a more comfortable recovery compared with traditional open surgery, which uses a larger incision.
Lumbar disc replacement follows a similar principle. With the prodisc L technique, Dr. Tyndall reaches the damaged disc from the front through a limited incision in the abdomen, preserving the back muscles.
As with any surgery, artificial disc replacement has potential risks. Dr. Tyndall discusses these risks alongside the expected benefits to help each patient make an informed treatment decision.
Who May Qualify for Artificial Disc Replacement
Artificial disc replacement may be an option for adults whose bones have finished growing, but eligibility depends on more than age. Dr. Tyndall looks at your symptoms, overall health, and the condition of your spine to understand whether this approach may be right for you.
That includes identifying whether a damaged disc is the source of your symptoms and whether the surrounding bones and joints can support continued movement. Significant arthritis in those joints, osteoporosis or spinal instability may make another treatment more appropriate.
Nonsurgical care remains an important part of treatment. Physical therapy, medication or injections may help manage symptoms. Surgery is considered when symptoms, examination findings and imaging support it, and appropriate nonsurgical treatment has not provided enough relief.
Why a Spine Evaluation Matters
As degeneration progresses, changes in the surrounding joints or spinal stability may limit the suitability of disc replacement. If pain continues to interfere with daily life despite treatment, an evaluation can help you understand whether motion preservation is an option.
An evaluation does not commit you to surgery. It gives you time to discuss how pain is affecting your life, review the treatments you have tried, and consider your options.
Recovery After Artificial Disc Replacement
Disc replacement does not require the treated bones to fuse together, which may allow earlier movement during rehabilitation. Your body still needs time to heal around the implant. Walking and a gradual return to activity are often part of recovery, with limits on lifting and strenuous activity.
Some spine procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to go home the same day, while others require a hospital stay. The plan depends on the procedure, your overall health, and how you recover immediately after surgery.
Before surgery, your care team will explain what to expect for pain management, activity restrictions, and returning to work. Recovery varies, particularly between desk work and physically demanding jobs. Dr. Tyndall’s goal is to help you return safely to the activities that matter to you.
Explore Your Spine Care Options at LBJI
Advanced spine technology gives Dr. Tyndall more ways to tailor treatment to each patient. At LBJI, his focus is on choosing an approach that addresses your symptoms, supports recovery, and preserves movement when appropriate.
If back or neck pain is limiting your daily life, schedule an appointment at Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute to explore your treatment options, including whether artificial disc replacement may be right for you.