{"id":575,"date":"2021-08-19T13:22:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T13:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/davidchangspine.com\/?p=575"},"modified":"2023-09-19T15:09:20","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T15:09:20","slug":"artificial-disc-replacement-vs-spinal-fusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/davidchangspine.com\/artificial-disc-replacement-vs-spinal-fusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Artificial Disc Replacement vs. Spinal Fusion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

About 6 million Americans<\/a> suffer from chronic back pain, including pain caused by spine joint and disc problems. While some chronic back pain improves with conservative options, like physical therapy and medication, other back problems require surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At his practice in Roseville, Minnesota, David Chang, MD-PhD, DABNS<\/a>, offers both artificial disc replacement surgery<\/a> and spinal fusion surgery<\/a> to relieve your back pain symptoms, so you can get back to the activities you love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what these surgeries involve and what types of problems they can treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artificial disc replacement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your discs are spongy cushions that separate each pair of spine bones (vertebrae). Discs act like shock absorbers to protect your vertebrae, and they also help your spine stay flexible. The separation created by the discs also provides room for nerves to exit your spinal canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We perform artificial disc replacement<\/a> when one or more of these discs becomes damaged and conservative options don\u2019t provide relief for pain and other symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Chang may recommend artificial disc replacement if you have diseased or damaged discs or degenerative disc disease<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artificial disc replacement can be performed using a minimally invasive approach with a very small incision or using a more traditional, open approach with a larger incision, depending on your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Chang uses special instruments to carefully remove the damaged disc, then he inserts an artificial disc made of durable, biocompatible materials. Many of our patients are able to go home the same day they have surgery, but in some cases, Dr. Chang may recommend an overnight hospital stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artificial (or prosthetic) spine joints are designed to function like a natural spine joint. After surgery, you can enjoy flexibility and movement in the area where you had surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spinal fusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spinal fusion surgery<\/a> has been around for a long time, partly because it\u2019s so versatile. It can be used for a variety of spine problems that cause chronic back pain, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n