05/01/2026
If you’ve been told you might need surgery for a lumbar disc issue, these are two of the most common options:
➡️ Disc replacement and lumbar fusion.
Here’s what actually separates them:
1. How the surgery is done: Disc replacement is done through the abdomen and requires a vascular surgeon to safely access the spine.
Lumbar fusion can be done from the front, side, or back depending on the case.
2. Motion vs. stability: Disc replacement is designed to preserve motion by placing an artificial disc where the damaged one was.
Fusion does the opposite—it stabilizes the spine by joining two vertebrae together.
3. What happens after the disc is removed: In disc replacement, a device is placed to keep the joint moving.
In fusion, a spacer is placed and the goal is for the bones to grow together over time (using graft material).
In many cases, my preference is disc replacement, but not everyone qualifies.
Next video: I’ll cover who is and isn’t a candidate.
