Lumbar Disc Replacement in Northwest Indiana

What Is Lumbar Disc Replacement?

Lumbar disc replacement (also called lumbar total disc replacement or lumbar arthroplasty) removes a damaged or degenerated disc in the low back and replaces it with a mobile artificial disc implant. It is most often considered for disabling low back pain from a degenerated disc at one or two levels that has not improved with conservative care.

The key difference from fusion is motion. A fusion stabilizes a level of the spine by locking it in place permanently. Disc replacement instead preserves motion at the treated segment, which may reduce the extra stress placed on the disc levels above and below it.

Dr. Tyndall performs the procedure through an anterior approach — a small incision in the abdomen — which reaches the spine without cutting through the back muscles. This helps reduce post-operative pain and speeds recovery.

Is It Right for Me?

Ideal candidates for lumbar disc replacement typically:

Have a symptomatic damaged or degenerated disc at one or two levels of the lumbar spine
Have not found lasting relief after at least six weeks of conservative treatment (physical therapy, medications, injections)
Do not have significant facet joint arthritis or spinal instability
Have adequate bone density to support the implant

Dr. Tyndall performs a thorough evaluation — including imaging studies and physical examination — to determine whether disc replacement, fusion, or continued conservative care is the right path for your specific condition.

The prodisc L Implant

Dr. Tyndall uses the prodisc L, a lumbar artificial disc built on prodisc — one of the most studied disc replacement platforms in the world. Its ball-and-socket design is engineered to restore disc height and preserve motion at the treated level.

Motion by design

The prodisc L is designed to preserve motion at the treated lumbar level rather than locking it in place as fusion does.

An established platform

prodisc is one of the longest-studied disc replacement platforms in the world, in clinical use for more than three decades.

300K+

prodisc implantations worldwide over the last 35 years

590+

published papers studying the prodisc technology platform

Implant details per Centinel Spine’s published materials.

The Procedure and Recovery

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia through a small incision in the abdomen (an anterior retroperitoneal approach). The damaged disc is removed, disc height is restored, and the artificial disc is placed. Because the approach avoids the back muscles entirely, recovery is typically faster and less painful than patients expect.

2 to 4 weeks: Walking and light daily activities are encouraged. Many patients return to desk work during this time.
4 to 6 weeks: Return to most normal activities including driving and light exercise. Physical therapy may begin.
3 to 6 months: Full recovery for most patients, including return to strenuous activity.

Because disc replacement does not require waiting for bone to fuse, many patients experience a faster functional recovery compared to fusion. Dr. Tyndall provides detailed post-operative instructions and monitors your recovery closely.

Why Choose Dr. Tyndall for Lumbar Disc Replacement

Pioneer in Fusion-Less Surgery
Dr. Tyndall is a leader in motion-preserving spine surgery and has worked directly with implant companies developing disc replacement technology

20+ Years of Experience
Board-certified spine surgeon with two decades of specialized expertise in advanced spinal procedures

Elite Training
NYU medical degree, Stanford residency, fellowship at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) — the nation's #1 orthopedic hospital

Technology Pioneer
First spine surgeon in Indiana to use computerized navigation for outpatient minimally invasive spine surgery

Outpatient Surgery
Pioneer in same-day spine surgery — many disc replacement patients go home hours after their procedure

Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute
Northwest Indiana's most preferred orthopedic practice

Lumbar Disc Replacement FAQ

Is lumbar disc replacement better than fusion?

They are different tools for different patients. Fusion locks the treated level in place permanently, while disc replacement preserves motion at that level, which may reduce the extra stress placed on the discs above and below. For the right candidate, disc replacement offers a faster functional recovery because there is no need to wait for bone to fuse. Some patients — for example those with significant facet joint arthritis or spinal instability — are better served by fusion. Dr. Tyndall evaluates each patient individually and recommends the option best suited to their anatomy and goals.

Am I a candidate for lumbar disc replacement?

Ideal candidates typically have a symptomatic damaged or degenerated disc at one or two levels of the lumbar spine, have failed conservative treatment for at least six weeks, do not have significant facet joint arthritis or spinal instability, and have adequate bone density. Dr. Tyndall performs a thorough evaluation including imaging studies and physical examination to determine whether lumbar disc replacement is appropriate for you.

How long does recovery take after lumbar disc replacement?

Most patients return to light activities within 2 to 4 weeks and to most normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks, with full recovery over 3 to 6 months. Because there is no need to wait for bone to fuse, functional recovery is often faster than with traditional spinal fusion.

How is the lumbar procedure performed?

Lumbar disc replacement is performed through an anterior approach — a small incision in the abdomen — which allows Dr. Tyndall to reach the disc without cutting through the back muscles. The damaged disc is removed and the prodisc L implant is placed to restore disc height and preserve motion at that level.

What if I have disc problems at more than one level?

Lumbar disc replacement is typically performed at one or two levels. If more levels are involved, or if some levels are better suited to fusion, Dr. Tyndall may recommend a different plan. Imaging and examination determine what is right for your specific anatomy.