Complication rate
2.79%
Range 1.77–3.80%
n=2 studies
This page contains health-related information for reference only. It is not medical advice. Read full disclaimer
orthopaedic
Disc Replacement
Total disc replacement (TDR), or artificial disc replacement (ADR), is a type of arthroplasty in which degenerated intervertebral discs in the vertebral column are replaced with artificial disc implants in the lumbar (lower) or cervical (upper) spine. The procedure is used to treat chronic, severe low back pain and cervical pain resulting from degenerative disc disease.
Quick Facts
- Price range
- Varies by clinic
- Recovery
- Varies
- Sessions
- Varies
- Category
- orthopaedic
- Anaesthesia
- Varies
- Min. stay abroad
- Varies
- Price Range (International)
- Varies by clinic
- Average Recovery
- Varies
- Typical Sessions
- Varies
- Category
- orthopaedic
Overview
Total disc replacement (TDR), also called artificial disc replacement (ADR), is a type of arthroplasty in which degenerated intervertebral discs in the spinal column are replaced with artificial disc implants, in either the lumbar (lower) or cervical (upper) spine. It is used to treat chronic, severe low-back pain and cervical (neck) pain arising from degenerative disc disease, and it is also an alternative intervention for symptomatic disc herniation associated with arm and hand, or leg, symptoms — known as radicular pain. Total disc replacement was developed as an alternative to spinal fusion, with the goal of reducing or eliminating pain while still allowing motion throughout the spine. Faster recoveries after surgery have also been widely reported by surgeons. Another potential benefit is the prevention of premature breakdown at levels of the spine adjacent to the treated one — a recognised risk after fusion surgery — and recent studies have shown a strong correlation between preserving motion in the spine and avoiding this adjacent-segment degeneration.
Key Considerations
Reported outcomes
Detailed outcomes →Aggregated from peer-reviewed systematic reviews on PubMed. How we extract these rates.
Common Risks
Credentials a clinic should hold
Specialty-board certifications and facility-level accreditations relevant to this procedure. Verify on the issuer's public register before booking — most issuers publish a searchable directory.
National orthopaedic-surgery board
Issuer Country-specific (e.g. ABOS in US, FRCS Orth in UK, EBOT in Europe)
Specialty-board certification in orthopaedic surgery — minimum credential for joint replacement, spinal surgery, and sports-injury repair.
Verify on the issuer's register →
Current clinical trials
Ongoing research studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov whose intervention involves disc replacement. This is a neutral pointer to public research — not an endorsement, not a recruitment drive, and not medical advice. Trial status changes often; confirm eligibility and current status with the study team via each record.
- Enrolling by invitationObservational· Started 2025-11-01Retrospective Analysis of Patients Implanted With 2 Levels of Prodisc® C Vivo DevicesNCT07370493· Centinel Spine· Degenerative Disc Disease, Cervical Spine Degenerative Disease, Symptomatic Cervical Disc Disease
- RecruitingObservational· Started 2023-05-01Comparison of Artificial Disc Implants in Cervical Disc ArthroplastyNCT05701059· University of California, Los Angeles· Cervical Spondylosis With Myelopathy, Cervical Radiculopathy, Cervical Disc Herniation
- Active, not recruitingObservational· Started 2019-11-30M6-C Post Approval Study (PAS)NCT04122248· Spinal Kinetics· Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease, Cervical Radiculopathy, Cervical Spinal Cord Compression
Showing 3 recent ongoing studies. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov — all matching trials (U.S. National Library of Medicine, public domain). Retrieved 2026-08-02.
Recovery Timeline
Average recovery for Disc Replacement is 0 days. Individual recovery varies — always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.
- 01Day 0–1
Immediate
First 24–48 hours post-procedure. Monitoring, anaesthesia recovery, initial pain management. Most clinics expect you to remain on-site or nearby.
- 02Day 2–2
Early recovery
Wound care, swelling or bruising peaks, restricted activity. Typical window for follow-up visits and drain removal if applicable. Travel is usually not advised.
- 03Day 3–3
Intermediate recovery
Gradual return to non-strenuous daily activity. Many international patients fly home during this window. Surgeon may require medical clearance for long-haul travel.
- 04Day 4–0
Full recovery
Return to full activity, exercise, and work. Final results may still be settling. Final follow-up with local doctor recommended.
Questions to Ask Your Clinic
Browse all destinations offering Disc Replacement →Detailed cost breakdown →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is total disc replacement?
It is a type of arthroplasty in which degenerated intervertebral discs in the spinal column are replaced with artificial disc implants. It can be performed in the lumbar (lower) or cervical (upper) spine.
What conditions does it treat?
It is used to treat chronic, severe low-back pain and cervical pain resulting from degenerative disc disease. It is also an alternative for symptomatic disc herniation with associated arm and hand, or leg, symptoms, known as radicular pain.
How does it differ from spinal fusion?
Disc replacement was developed as an alternative to spinal fusion. Its goal is pain reduction or elimination while still allowing motion throughout the spine, rather than joining the vertebrae together.
Does disc replacement preserve movement?
Yes. Unlike fusion, total disc replacement is designed to allow continued motion throughout the spine.
Can it protect other levels of the spine?
A potential benefit is the prevention of premature breakdown at spinal levels adjacent to the treated one, which is a recognised risk after fusion surgery. Recent studies have shown a strong correlation between providing motion in the spine and avoiding adjacent-segment degeneration.
Which parts of the spine can be treated?
Artificial disc implants can be placed in the lumbar (lower) spine or the cervical (upper) spine, depending on where the degenerated disc is located.
Related Procedures
Other orthopaedic procedures in our registry