Natural Motion is Back (Artificial Lumbar Disc)

by Dr. Wicharn Yingsakmongkol
BNH Spine Center

Approximately 80% of people experience significant low back pain at least once in their lifetime, and for many people, spinal disorders are a lifelong problem. Causes of chronic low back pain are varied including muscle strain, disc herniation, lumbar spondylosis, spinal stenosis , osteoporosis and degenerative disc disease.

The most common early symptom of degenerative disc disease is usually pain in the back that spreads to the buttocks and upper thighs. With degenerative disc disease, the main problem lies within one or more of the intervertebral discs. There is a disc between each of the vertebrae in your spine. The discs are designed to absorb pressure and keep the spine flexible by acting as cushions during body movement. They are similar to shock absorbers. Without the cushion effect, the vertebrae in your spine would not be able to absorb stresses, or provide the movement needed to bend and twist.

The treatment of degenerative disc disease usually begins with conservative treatment, including rest, physical therapy and medications. When conservative therapy fails, surgical treatment may be recommended. To date, ongoing low back pain from degenerative disc disease has been treated with lumbar spinal fusion surgery. This procedure attempts to permanently lock two or more spinal vertebrae together so they cannot move except as a single unit. However, spinal fusion does alter motion characteristics and mechanics of the spine.

We have all heard of hip and knee replacement surgeries. These procedures have provided much relief for people who suffer from pain in those areas. But what about artificial disc replacement? Artificial disc replacement has been performed in Europe since 1984 and has been used in treating nearly 10,000 patients worldwide. Replacement of the damaged disc with an artificial disc can relieve chronic low back pain, restore disc height between the vertebrae and allow the spine to maintain its normal motion, which thereby reducing or eliminating the risk of degeneration in adjacent levels of the disc.

Artificial lumbar disc replacement offers an alternative to lumbar fusion for some patients who have chronic low back pain from degenerative disc disease. While fusion stops pain by eliminating movement in the afflicted disc, artificial disc allow natural motion in the implanted disc.

"I underwent three surgeries in Germany but my health condition didn't improve at all until a friend of my brother, who is based in Bangkok, recommended BNH Hospital. I decided to try my luck in Thailand and scheduled a Total Disc Replacement. Within a week I got an appointment. It was amazing, just 8 hours after the operation I was able
to walk normal again. The pain I used to experience was completely gone. It exceeded my expectations by far. Only two weeks later I was back at work and I have recovered 100%."
- Malene Sagild, Germany (Procedure: Total Artificial Disc Replacement)

This article provides only an overview of artificial lumbar disc. Additional details should be reviewed with your spine surgeon so that all your questions and concerns are addressed.

For more information, you can contact the BNH Spine Centre at

BNH Hospital Shanghai (Rep office)
Tel: +(86-21) 6101 – 0550
Fax: +(86-21) 6101 – 0551
Address: Level 23, Citigroup Tower 33 Hua Yuan Shi Qiao Road, Shanghai 200120, China
E-mail: ACEreferral@bnh.co.th

BNH Hospital Beijing (Rep office)
Tel: +(86-10) 8520 - 0442
Fax: +(86-10) 8520 - 0220
Address: Level 6, W2 Oriental Plaza, 1 East Chang An Avenue, Dong Cheng District, Beijing, China
E-mail: ACEreferral@bnh.co.th

Website: www.BNHhospital.com, www.BNHspine.com