Prosthetic Disc Replacement May Be Better Than Fusion

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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/471810?mpid=26230

The prosthetic disc might help preserve motion better than fusion, but

" other than that, there is not a huge advantage over fusion, " Dr.

told Medscape.

Prosthetic discs will likely be used in a small number of middle-aged,

healthy patients who have one or two collapsed discs, but not in elderly

patients, who usually have stenosis or scoliosis, said Dr. . ... the

discs will likely last 15 to 20 years and can be easily removed and repaired

with a traditional fusion.