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The FDA has approved two lumbar disc replacements. There is the CHARITÉ artificial disc and the PRO-DISC-L total disc replacement (TDR). Both have been tested on humans in clinical trials. The results are not perfect yet but various studies report good results. Pain is relieved and motion is restored.
Your choice of disc implant may be determined by your surgeon. Not all surgeons use both implants. By implanting the same type of disc each time, the surgeon increases his or her knowledge and expertise with that implant design.
Studies show that implant placement is important. If the TDR is placed too far forward or back from the central axis, the load on the joints is increased. And since the facet joints can be painful, the goal is to reduce the force and load placed on the joints.
Once you see a surgeon, you can ask which type of TDR he or she recommends. If you decide you prefer one design over another, then you may want to look for a surgeon who uses that type.
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