Reemplazo de disco lumbar: Una alternativa a la fusión. (Inglés)

In October 2004, the FDA approved the use of an artificial disc for use in single-level lumbar degenerative disc disease.

Matthew P. Cubbage, MD About 65 million Americans suffer from low back pain; nearly 80% of all people will experience at least one episode of severe low back pain in their lives. One of the most common reasons for physician visits, job-related disability, and lost work days, low back pain costs about $50 billion annually.

Many different treatment options exist for the problem, each with its own indication and limitation. As most cases of low back pain improve without surgical intervention, a conservative approach to treatment is necessary.

When nonoperative measures such as rest, activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and epidural steroid injections fail, further treatment may be necessary. Plain x-rays and MRI are appropriate for evaluation.