Artificial Disc Replacement

Lumbar Disc Replacement

What Is Lumbar Disc Replacement?

Lumbar disc replacement is a surgical procedure used to treat chronic low back pain caused by a severely damaged or degenerated disc. The lumbar spine, located between the rib cage and pelvis, contains five vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs that act as cushions and provide flexibility.

When one of these discs deteriorates or compresses surrounding nerves, patients may experience persistent pain, stiffness, or sciatica. Replacing the diseased disc with an artificial lumbar disc can relieve pressure on nerves, restore height between vertebrae, and preserve natural spinal motion—something that spinal fusion cannot achieve.

Why Choose Dr. Jason Cuéllar for Lumbar Disc Replacement

Dr. Jason Cuéllar is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in motion-preserving procedures, including both cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacement. He has trained at leading institutions such as Stanford, and NYU, and has performed hundreds of disc replacement surgeries with outstanding results.

Leader in motion-preservation: Rather than relying solely on fusion, he prioritizes disc replacement when appropriate to protect long-term mobility.
Research & publications: He has contributed to peer-reviewed studies on spinal surgery outcomes, further establishing his authority in the field.
Patient trust: Many patients travel nationally and internationally to undergo lumbar disc replacement with Dr. Cuéllar because of his reputation for excellent outcomes and personalized care.

Types of Lumbar Discs

There have been a number of discs released, each with varying degrees of success rates when stress-tested in clinical trials. Current FDA-approved discs for the lumbar spine include the prodisc® L and activL artificial discs. Below is a topline overview of the FDA-approved alternatives currently available.

TREATMENTS

Prodisc®-L

TREATMENTS

CHARITÉ® Artificial Disc

TREATMENTS

ActivL®

TREATMENTS

M6-L

TREATMENTS

Lumbar LP-ESP® Disc Prosthesis

TREATMENTS

Baguera®L

LUMBAR DISCS

FDA-Approved Lumbar Discs

Prodisc®-L

The Prodisc®-L is one of the most widely used artificial lumbar discs in the United States. FDA-approved for use at one or two levels (L3-L4, L4-L5, or L5-S1), it is designed for patients with degenerative disc disease who have not improved after at least six months of conservative care.

The implant consists of three components: two metallic endplates and a polyethylene inlay. Its design helps restore spacing between vertebrae and maintain normal lumbar motion.

Discontinued Lumbar Discs

ActivL®

The activL® artificial disc received FDA approval in 2015 and was developed as the next generation of lumbar disc replacement technology. It has since been discontinued. Unlike earlier designs, it allows a variable center of rotation, which more closely mimics natural spinal movement. It also comes in multiple sizes and footprints to better match patient anatomy, improving stability and outcomes.

CHARITÉ® Artificial Disc

First approved in 2004, the CHARITÉ® disc was the earliest total disc replacement available. Made of cobalt alloy endplates with a polyethylene core, it allowed bone ingrowth for stability. While it helped pave the way for modern lumbar disc replacement, it has since been discontinued and replaced by more advanced designs like Prodisc®-L and activL®.

International & Off-Market Devices

Several artificial lumbar discs are widely used in Europe and abroad but are not FDA-approved in the U.S. Patients sometimes explore these options when seeking treatment outside the country.

M6-L

The M6-L is engineered to replicate the natural disc’s ability to compress and move in multiple directions. It uses an artificial nucleus and fiber annulus, supported by titanium endplates that encourage bone integration. Its viscoelastic core allows for shock absorption similar to a healthy disc.

Lumbar LP-ESP® Disc Prosthesis

This device is designed to closely reproduce the natural flexibility of the lumbar spine. With shock-absorbing features and titanium endplates, it helps alleviate stress on adjacent levels while maintaining motion.

Baguera®L

The Baguera®L incorporates Diamond-Like-Carbon coated titanium plates and is available with either a fixed or mobile nucleus. It reduces MRI artifacts, provides strong stability, and allows for intraoperative flexibility depending on patient needs.

Dr. Cuéllar’s Approach

For the right candidates, lumbar disc replacement offers an alternative to fusion that preserves mobility and reduces the likelihood of adjacent disc degeneration. Dr. Cuéllar evaluates each patient carefully using advanced imaging and a thorough clinical exam. His approach prioritizes:

Motion preservation over spinal fusion whenever possible
Minimally invasive techniques to speed recovery
Individualized implant selection to match each patient’s anatomy and activity level
Long-term outcomes focused on both pain relief and restored quality of life