Intervertebral Disc Prosthetics

If other therapies, in case of strong intervertebral disc deterioration, which is associated with intervertebral disc protrusions or prolapses, do not have sufficient effect, we can replace the problematic intervertebral disc with a disc prosthetics. This presents an important advantage in relation to hardening operations (spondylodesis) because the mobility of the spinal column is left untouched.

Process of Treatment

Under general anesthesia, we put a small skin incision underneath the navel. By means of this skin incision, we then remove the degenerated intervertebral disc completely from the space between the vertebrae. Then we move the vertebrae into their original position and put the prosthetic in the intermediate space created by that process. The prosthetic element consists of two small metal plates between which lies a flexible, moveable piece of plastic, acting as a buffer. The prosthetics grows with the neighboring vertebral bodies in the following weeks through the roughened surfaces of the metal plates.

Duration of treatment: about 2 hours

Permanence in clinic: 10 days

Time limit: 4 weeks

Physiotherapy: 4 weeks

Work incapacity: 6 to 10 weeks

Ability to drive: after 4 weeks

Sports: Swimming, immediately; bicycle riding after 4 weeks; golf and tennis after 10 weeks