Motion-Preservation Spine Surgery: Disc Replacement and Fusion Alternatives

Motion-Preservation Spine Surgery: Quick Facts

Motion Preservation Surgery Goal: The main goal of any spine surgery is to relieve pain. Whenever we can, we also preserve motion in the spine with minimally invasive techniques and disc replacement surgeries.

Benefits of Motion Preservation Surgery, such as disc replacement surgery:

• Preserves natural range of motion of the spine
• Reduces stress on adjacent levels of the spine (above and below the surgery)
• Restores functionality without limiting motion
• Faster recovery (compared to more invasive surgeries)

Motion Preservation Surgery Candidate: Disc replacement surgery and other motion-preserving techniques can greatly benefit patients who have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, disc herniations, pinched nerves, or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS). For patients with these conditions, a thorough evaluation by a trained spine specialist is still necessary to truly determine eligibility, as there are many factors that our specialists consider before making a shared decision with their patient about the best path forward.

What is Motion-Preservation Spine Surgery?

Motion-preservation spine surgery – like disc replacement surgery, hybrid spine surgery (combining disc replacement and fusion), or minimally invasive spine surgery – use advanced implants and techniques to relieve nerve pressure while maintaining near-normal movement in the spine. Instead of fusing bones together, these procedures replace or support damaged structures so you can bend, twist, and move more naturally and reduce stress on nearby levels. Learn more about why athletes are choosing surgeries that preserve motion:

What Does Motion-Preservation Mean?

Quick Spinal Anatomy:

• The spine is composed of a column of bones (vertebrae) connected via discs.
• Discs are the soft tissue cushions in your spine that allow for motion: compression, flexion, extension, side bending, and rotational movements.
• There are two small joints (facet joints) in the back of the spine at each disc level.
• Together the large disc in the front and facet joints in the back make up a 3-joint complex known as a motion segment.

Spinal Fusion vs Motion-Preserving Surgery: Key Differences

For some patients a spinal fusion surgery is the best treatment due to instability in their spine. When a patient’s spine already has instability, we don’t want to add motion as that could cause further degeneration for them or not relieve their pain. However, when a patient’s spine is fused, they lose natural motion at that level of the spine which can put stress on the adjacent levels above and below the surgery – this means those levels could become candidates for further surgery down the line.

Motion-preserving surgeries, like disc replacement, simply replace the disc(s) that are degenerated with a synthetic disc that mimics your natural motion. Rather than this level of your spine being fused, it allows your spine to continue to bend, flex, extend and move side-to-side. This can help prevent stress on the adjacent levels above and below the surgery.

During your evaluation and diagnostic imaging and tests, we’ll look at each level of your spine and put together a plan that matches your unique needs.

Types of Motion-Preserving Surgery

Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement (Neck Pain, Arm Symptoms)

If you’re experiencing pain or stiffness in your neck or tingling or numbness in your arms, it may be stemming from your cervical spine. Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery is a great option for patients who don’t have instability in their cervical spine.

During the surgery, we remove the damaged disc(s) and replace it with an artificial disc that closely mimics the natural human disc and allows for the natural motion of the spine. These discs serve as a cushion and shock absorber between the vertebrae (bones) in the neck. Once the degenerated or damaged disc is removed it is replaced with an artificial disc. The artificial disc mimics and very closely resembles that of a natural human disc. The artificial disc is made up of a polycarbonate urethane middle surrounded by titanium.

Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement (Low Back Pain, Sciatica)

Painful discs and pinched nerves in the low back, or lumbar spine, are very common. The goal of Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery is to replace the painful lumbar disc to relieve stress on the nerves and facet joints and preserve the natural motion of the spine.

Patients considered for lumbar disc replacement typically include those with degenerative disc disease causing localized low back pain that worsens with movement or activity; individuals with disc herniations where displaced disc material pinches a nerve and produces shooting leg pain; and patients with persistent or worsened symptoms following prior spine surgery.

Hybrid Spine Surgery (Disc Replacement and Fusion)

Hybrid Spine Surgery is an innovative surgical option for patients that need more than one degenerative disc level treated. This procedure combines the stability of a spinal fusion with the mobility of a disc replacement. Since we are able to make a custom plan for each level and disc of your spine, you truly can get exactly what you need to relieve your unique symptoms.

TOPS™ System (Facet Joint Replacement for Motion Preservation)

The TOPS™ (Total Posterior Spine) System is an FDA approved spinal implant designed to stabilize your lower back while maintaining your natural range of motion. Unlike traditional spinal fusion, which permanently locks vertebrae together and eliminates movement, TOPS acts as a mechanical facet joint replacement that preserves your spine’s ability to bend, twist, and flex. Our surgeons have even pioneered combining disc replacement and TOPS surgery in order to keep patients in motion.

What Conditions are Treated with Motion-Preservation Spine Surgery?

At your surgical consultation, your spine surgeon will perform a thorough assessment to determine what custom treatment is right for you. Disc replacement surgery is most commonly used to treat the following conditions:

• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Spinal Stenosis
• Disc Herniations
• Radiculopathy & Pinched Nerve
• Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
• Multi-Level Degenerative Disc Disease
• Prior Spinal Fusion on Adjacent Levels

Who is a Candidate for Motion-Preserving Spine Surgery?

Every patient is unique, and their treatment should be as well. There is no way to know what treatment any patient is a candidate for prior to a thorough evaluation, diagnostics and discussion. We prioritize getting patients in quickly so we have the highest chance of preserving motion before their condition gets too severe. We will then evaluate each level of their spine that is causing them pain and discuss what custom plan is best to help them reach their goals and accelerate their recovery.

What to Expect From Motion-Preserving Spine Surgery & Recovery

Before we determine if you’re a candidate for any treatment or surgery, all patients undergo a personalized consultation with one of our spine surgeons. Your surgeon will determine eligibility through a series of analyses, including an in-depth physical exam, diagnostic testing, and, in some instances, advanced imaging. Once a treatment plan is determined, your medical team will then walk you through our Enhanced Surgical Recovery protocols, an evidence-based process which include both pre and post-surgical steps to help speed-up recovery. Hear Dr. Jazini explain how disc replacement surgery helped one of his patients continue weightlifting after surgery:

Technology at VSI: Robotic Guidance, AR, Endoscopic Spine Surgery

At VSI, we use technology to enhance every procedure we do. Using Robotic-Guidance, Augmented Reality (AR) headsets, Endoscopic tools, Ultrasonic tools, and custom 3D printed implants allow us to perform less invasive surgical procedures with smaller incisions, less operative bleeding and faster recovery times.

Is Motion Preservation Surgery Right for Me?

At your surgical consultation, your spine surgeon will perform a thorough assessment to determine if a motion-preserving surgery, like disc replacement surgery, is right for you. Our in-person consultations are reserved for approximately one hour to one hour and a half to provide the time necessary to cover all aspects of your diagnosis and to create a custom treatment plan for you. This time includes answering all your questions, addressing your concerns, performing a hands-on medical exam, taking a detailed medical history, and reviewing your current X-rays and MRI.

Whether you are just starting your search or looking for a second opinion, VSI is here to support you and ensure you are getting the right treatment for your specific needs.

FAQs: Common Questions About Motion Preservation

Is motion preservation only for younger patients?

No – age is not the determining factor when evaluating what treatment is the best fit for a patient. Instead, we provide a thorough physical evaluation, get diagnostic images and tests and discuss the patient’s lifestyle and goals to develop the best plan of care.

Can you still need fusion after a motion-preserving surgery?

Yes – your spine is similar to your teeth in that way. Just because you get one level addressed doesn’t mean over time or with an injury another level won’t need attention later in life. Over the course of your life, you may need multiple spinal procedures or surgeries to keep you moving and active in your daily life. 

Does insurance cover disc replacement surgery?

We know insurance can be a confusing part of seeking care, and have taken measures to make sure you understand the details of your plan before becoming a patient. During your initial call, your New Patient Coordinator will look up your specific benefits (unique to your plan) and let you know what you can expect prior to attending your consultation with us.