While the doctors at RMSAS see a wide range of patients with various ailments, a majority of our efforts are focused at patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD).  DDD is part of the natural process of growing older. As people age, their intervertebral discs lose their flexibility, elasticity, and shock absorbing characteristics. Discs are gel-like cushions that act as shock absorbers between each of the bones of the spine. For approximately half of the over 40 population, this process can cause several different symptoms, including back pain, nerve root pathology, and spinal cord compression. These symptoms are caused by the fact that worn out discs are a source of pain because they do not function as well as they once did, and as they shrink, the space available for the nerve roots and the spinal cord also shrinks.

Approximately 200,000 lumbar surgeries are performed in the United States every year. These surgeries usually entail a fusion often with the use of instrumentation such as rods, screws, and cages. Artificial Discs, such as the Maverick™, or posterior interspinous stabilization devices, such as the investigational Colfex™ device, could potentially offer another option to patients who suffer from degenerative disc disease.

The Maverick™ Artificial Disc features a metal on metal design with a posterior center of rotation. The disc's design is based on decades of total joint arthroplasty experience.

While a fusion remains the standard of care, and allows most patients to return to symptom-free normal activities within a very short period of time, the artificial disc clinical trial will study an alternative potential solution for those patients suffering from Degenerative Disc Disease.

If you are interested in being considered a candidate for lumbar or cervical disc replacement, or the posterior interspinous stabilization device, please call 800-795-5487 to find out if you are a candidate.

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Artificial disc replacement surgery is covered by some insurance.  Please contact us to determine if you qualify. For those wanting to skip the insurance process, we do offer a global cash price as well.