So based on the comments here... ProDisc is a good or a not-so-good disc replacement?

It's one of the few discs approved in the USA.


But in Europe, surgeons are moving to elastomer based discs for a reason. I tend to think no one is moving TO the ProDisc.



I'm sure it was a good disc for that era, but for a number of reasons I'd have no part of that disc in my body.

Thank you for your response!

What exactly does it make it a bad artificial disc?

1) Three degrees of freedom (versus 6 with LP-ESP)
2) Made of cobalt-chrome end plates instead of titanium
3) Keel design may help keep in place initially, but I would prefer not to have A-P slices made in my vertebrae. (Especially since I need two levels and would therefore have a keep cut on both sides of my L5 vertebrae)
4) Wear rates (debris ejected)... (Although the ESP and other elastomer discs will leach out some plastic chemicals over time and it is a legitimate concern in my opinion - but we already digest so much plastics that get into our food supply so not sure it's worth obsessing over.)


As far as the major ADR surgeons in Europe - most have implanted the ProDisc I imagine at one time or another. But they've moved on.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKaZYjXgsBc


Just one example.

Jack hit the mark again
 

Perhaps all I can say about the Prodisc is it's better than a fusion.....at first.

Fair enough... even though I've seen stories of active people still thriving on ProDisc-L for 10 years and counting, I will do my due diligence and look for alternative and decide by myself.

I will call Dr. Rolando Garcia to inquire about Activ-L and see how it goes from there.

Unfortunately doing my procedure in the US is the only option for me, unless someone feels like paying for my treatment in Europe. It is the sad reality that we live in... beggers can't be choosers and I know that even in the US, this procedure will be life-changing for me.

Thanks for all the good info! :)

M6 is approved in US
 

The M6C or L are approved in the US now for single level.
But the correct size and placement is key
I like that Dr. Clavel used the bone wax too!

The current generation ProDisc C has a smaller keel that does not remove as much bone material from the vertibra. But not FDA approved if I understand it correctly. I had the flexible core CP-ESP for my cervical spine, still considering the ProDisc C for my upcoming lumbar work.