Artificial disc: current developments in artificial disc replacement

Lumbar nucleus replacements Nucleus replacement offers two primary advantages over total disc replacement: a less invasive surgical approach and restoration of the anulus to its natural fiber length and tension. The technique may find clinical utility when used in conjunction with open or percutaneous nucleotomy for disc herniation and in early-stage disc degeneration. The anulus must be competent and capable of a degree of healing. In later stage disc disruption, with failure of the anulus, simple nucleus replacement would be ineffective.