Cervical & Lumbar Total Disc Replacement

Medically Reviewed by Dean C. Perfetti, MD, MPH, Fellowship-Trained Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

Living with chronic neck or back pain can make simple activities feel harder than they should. Sitting for long periods, driving, exercising, working, or even sleeping comfortably may become more difficult when a damaged spinal disc affects the way the spine moves.

At Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group, Dr. Dean Perfetti performs cervical and lumbar Total Disc Replacement procedures for patients throughout New York and Connecticut who may qualify for evaluation.

Total Disc Replacement, also called artificial disc replacement, replaces a damaged spinal disc with an artificial disc designed to help maintain movement in the spine when appropriate.

Dr. Perfetti is one of the few spine surgeons in the Hudson Valley and Western Connecticut region performing both cervical and lumbar Total Disc Replacement procedures using the Centinel Spine prodisc® platform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Should You Consider an Evaluation for Disc Replacement?

Some patients begin exploring alternatives to spinal fusion surgery after trying physical therapy, medications, injections, or activity modification without enough improvement.

Others may simply want to better understand their treatment options after learning they have a damaged or worn spinal disc.

Symptoms that may lead patients to seek evaluation include:

• Chronic neck pain
• Chronic lower back pain
• Pain when sitting, standing, or walking
• Tingling or numbness in the arms or legs
• Disc-related nerve pain
• Reduced movement or stiffness

Every spine condition is different, and not every patient is a candidate for artificial disc replacement.

What Is Total Disc Replacement?

Spinal discs act like cushions between the bones of the spine. Over time, a disc may become damaged, worn down, or develop a tear that affects movement and causes pain.

Total Disc Replacement removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial disc designed to help maintain more natural movement in the spine.

Unlike spinal fusion surgery, which permanently joins bones together, disc replacement is designed to preserve movement in the treated area of the spine when appropriate.

For some patients, preserving movement may be an important part of treatment planning.

What Happens During a Spine Evaluation?

Every patient undergoes a comprehensive spine evaluation before discussing treatment options.

During the evaluation, Dr. Perfetti reviews:

• Symptoms and medical history
• Imaging studies such as MRI scans or X-rays
• Prior treatments
• Spinal alignment and stability
• Overall spinal health

According to Dr. Perfetti, understanding the patient’s symptoms, imaging findings, and long-term goals is an important part of determining whether a motion-preserving approach may be appropriate.

“Motion matters. The spine wants motion,” Dr. Perfetti explains.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Dean Perfetti

Dean C. Perfetti, MD, MPH, is a fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group.

After completing advanced spine surgery fellowship training at the Texas Back Institute, Dr. Perfetti developed a special focus on motion-preserving spine procedures, including cervical and lumbar Total Disc Replacement.

He treats patients in Mount Kisco, Carmel, Newburgh, Fishkill, and Danbury.

Advanced cervical and lumbar disc replacement procedures are not widely available throughout the Hudson Valley and Western Connecticut region. Dr. Perfetti is one of the few spine surgeons in the area performing both cervical and lumbar Total Disc Replacement procedures.

The Centinel Spine Prodisc® Platform

At Somers Orthopaedics, Dr. Perfetti uses the Centinel Spine prodisc® platform as part of a motion-preserving approach to cervical and lumbar spine care.

The Centinel Spine prodisc® platform includes FDA-approved systems for cervical and lumbar disc replacement. Centinel Spine currently offers FDA-approved systems for two-level use in both the cervical and lumbar spine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Total Disc Replacement the same as spinal fusion?

No. Spinal fusion permanently joins bones together, while Total Disc Replacement is designed to help maintain movement in the treated area of the spine when appropriate.

What is the difference between cervical and lumbar disc replacement?

Cervical disc replacement treats damaged discs in the neck, while lumbar disc replacement treats damaged discs in the lower back.

Does Dr. Perfetti perform both cervical and lumbar disc replacement?

Yes. Dr. Perfetti is one of the few spine surgeons in the region performing both cervical and lumbar Total Disc Replacement procedures.

What conditions may be evaluated for artificial disc replacement?

Some patients with degenerative disc disease, annular tears, herniated discs, chronic neck pain, or chronic lower back pain may qualify for evaluation depending on their condition and imaging findings.

Is the Centinel Spine prodisc® platform FDA-approved?

The Centinel Spine prodisc® platform includes FDA-approved systems for cervical and lumbar disc replacement.

Learn More About Total Disc Replacement at Somers Orthopaedics

Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group provides cervical and lumbar Total Disc Replacement evaluations throughout New York and Connecticut.

To learn more or request an appointment with Dr. Dean Perfetti, contact Somers Orthopaedics at 845-278-8400.