A 3-4 cm incision is made just below the waistline in your abdomen, and an approach is made by a vascular surgeon to the vertebral bones of the lumbar spine. Dr. Rodriguez removes damaged disc and any bone spurs pressing on the spinal cord or nerves. Once the disc is prepared, a durable plastic and metal device that moves in a similar fashion to the natural disc is inserted into the disc space. The procedure and device allows Dr. Rodriguez to remove the pain-generating disc and take the pressure off the spinal cord and the nerves while maintaining a motion similar to the original disc.

Generally, patients are kept overnight for observation and pain control with medicine in their veins. However, one could go home the same day if they are recovered from anesthesia and their pain is well controlled with pain pills. Patients can return to light duty work as early as 2 weeks (if necessary). Dr. Rodriguez typically recommends that patients return to light duty jobs by 6 weeks and heavy lifting positions by 3-6 months. Physical therapy may be needed at 6 weeks post-operative.