What are the indications for having an artificial disc replacement?

Primary Care View: As a primary care pain doctor i recommend that patients think twice about surgery unless waiting can cause permanent damage. Get second opinion before having it done. That is the best way to be sure.

Similar to a fusion: The same reason that one would have a fusion usually at one level. The indications are the same but there are a lot more contraindications:no infection, not multiple levels, no instability, no facet arthritis, no significant disc space collapsevand no osteoporosis to name a few.

Neck and arm : The presence of neck pain and/or cervical radiculopathy(numbness, tingling, weakness, nerve pain) are the fda approved indications for artificial disc replacement in the presence of a herniated or degenerative disc.