Lumbar ADR replaces a worn disc in your lower back with a flexible implant that cushions the bones and lets you bend, twist, and lift more naturally. It aims to:

• Relieve long‑lasting low‑back pain.

• Keep normal back flexibility.

• Shield other discs from extra strain.

Five sturdy lumbar bones (L1‑L5) carry most body weight. Each disc acts like a shock absorber. When a disc dries out, cracks, or slips it can:

• Collapse and pinch nerves (sciatica).

• Cause persistent backache or leg weakness.

• Limit bending and lifting.

This is lumbar degenerative disc disease.

• Chronic low‑back pain despite medicines, PT, or injections.

• One bad disc (often L4‑L5 or L5‑S1) on MRI/CT.

• No severe facet‑joint arthritis, instability, or brittle bones.

• Reasonable body‑mass index and overall good health.

• Significant pain relief without fusing bones.

• Maintains normal bending and twisting.

• Quicker recovery and smaller scars than fusion.

• Reduces stress on other discs, lowering re‑operation risk.

• No bone graft needed.

• Infection, bleeding, or blood clots.

• Injury to large abdominal vessels or nerves.

• Implant shift or gradual wear (rare).

• Allergic reaction to implant materials.

• Possible revision surgery years later.

The round bullets explain (what the team does) & the square bullets explain (what you’ll notice).

Preparation

• General anesthesia; belly is cleaned and draped.

  • You drift off under anesthesia and feel nothing during surgery.

  • When you wake, you’ll have an IV line, a blood‑pressure cuff, and heart stickers for monitoring.

Access

• 5 cm incision in lower abdomen; organs gently moved aside by a vascular surgeon.

  • A small dressing covers a 5 cm incision low on your belly.

  • You may feel mild tightness around the bandage but no sharp pain.

Disc Removal

• Surgeons clear out the damaged disc and bone spurs.

  • You won’t sense the disc work itself; after waking you might notice a dull ache in your lower back or abdomen, like sore muscles.

Disc Placement

• Artificial disc restores normal height and freedom of movement.

  • No new sensation—surgeons position the implant while you’re still asleep.

  • X‑ray images taken during this step don’t cause any discomfort to you.

Closure

• Internal stitches and skin glue.

  • The incision is sealed with internal stitches and skin glue, then taped.

  • You might feel slight abdominal bloating or tugging that eases over the first day.

The surgery lasts approximately 2–3 hours and typically requires a hospital stay of 1–2 nights.

• Day 0 (Evening): Stand and take a short hallway walk.

• First Week: Achy but manageable; avoid twisting or lifting more than a gallon of milk.

• Weeks 2–6: Begin core‑strengthening PT; many desk jobs resume in 3–4 weeks.

• After 3 Months: Most pain fades; full return to lifting, sports, and travel.

When non‑surgical care no longer controls back pain, Lumbar ADR can restore comfort and freedom of movement—helping you return to work, family, and fitness without the lifetime limits of a fused spine.