02/17/2026
What is a lumbar artificial disc replacement (LADR)? It is one of the many surgical options offered here at Brain and Spine Institute of San Antonio, where your own disc is replaced with a prosthetic implant. The LADR can potentially be an alternative to a lumbar fusion, if the patient meets the surgical criteria. The LADR allows the spine to maintain its normal motion, removing unnecessary stress or movement on the other levels in your spine that a traditional fusion may cause. It can be used to treat chronic back pain, degenerative disc disease and sometimes herniated discs. It offers a faster recovery of approximately 6 weeks, has amazing outcomes allowing patients to resume normal activities and has a very high long term success rate. Surgery is performed through the abdomen and usually a vascular surgeon is used to assist the main surgeon with arriving at the lumbar spine. Are you or someone you know a candidate for a lumbar artificial disc replacement? If so, please contact our office for additional information and we will be more than happy to evaluate you and determine if an LADR is the best option for you! Dr Osama Ahmed is the leading surgeon in San Antonio and surrounding areas for placement of lumbar artificial discs, making him the surgeon who has done this surgery more than anyone else! We are proud to have that honor.
