Artificial disc replacement--evolutionary treatment for degenerative disc disease.

Back pain is a common problem that affects the majority of people at some point in their lives. Most back pain is not serious, but back pain caused by injury and aging can result in chronic pain that can last months, years, or indefinitely. Arthrodesis (ie, spinal, fusion) has been the treatment of choice for symptomatic degenerative disc disease that has not responded to conservative treatment modalities. Artificial disc replacement is a more recent option that preserves spinal motion but also recreates the natural function of the disc. The history of artificial disc replacement surgery, preoperative preparation, the surgical procedure, and postoperative recovery are discussed.