If you’ve tried conservative treatments and haven’t experienced your desired results, you may be considering surgery. At the Orthopedic Institute of PA (OIP), we provide disc replacement surgery to relieve pain or numbness while maintaining spine flexibility. With years of experience and an individualized approach, we provide expert solutions that keep you moving.
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A lumbar or cervical artificial disc replacement refers to the process of replacing a degenerated, damaged or herniated intervertebral disc with an artificial implant. Our approach to disc replacement surgery is founded in compassion. We’ll work tirelessly to help improve your mobility and reduce discomfort while preserving your spine’s natural motion. While every recovery journey is unique, our dedicated team of orthopedic experts supports you at every step, providing the education and care you need to navigate this process.
The spine is a complex structure, and knowing exactly where your pain originates is the first step toward relief. In spinal terminology, the letters and numbers correspond to specific regions. C stands for cervical, L stands for lumbar and the number indicates the specific location of the vertebra in the body. Our specialists will assess your spine to determine whether lumbar disc replacement or cervical disc replacement surgery might help you feel better. The most frequently performed replacements involve the areas that typically bear the most stress. Learn how surgery can help each area:
Our providers also replace other discs during surgery. Here’s how a surgical procedure can help different areas of the body:
We also care for many patients with other less common conditions.
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Browse our frequently asked questions to learn more about disc replacement surgery.
Disc replacement surgery involves exchanging a worn-out or damaged disc for a specialized medical implant designed to preserve your neck’s natural range of motion.
Your care team will provide a specific preparation plan tailored to your health history.
Recovery varies by individual. Many patients return to light activities within a few weeks, though full return to vigorous physical activity may take several months.
Our practice is committed to advancing patient care through minimally invasive spine surgery techniques that prioritize precision, safety, and faster recovery. Whenever appropriate, we use small incisions, muscle-sparing and microsurgical approaches, state-of-the-art imaging and navigation technologies, and high-quality implants to minimize tissue disruption, reduce postoperative pain, and support the smoothest possible recovery. This philosophy allows many patients to experience shorter hospital stays, a quicker return to daily activities, and improved overall outcomes. We believe that less invasive does not mean less effective, but rather reflects our dedication to delivering the highest standard of care with the least physical burden on our patients.
After my hip replacement, I was worried about how long it would take to get back on my feet. The rehab team at OIP was fantastic. They guided me every step of the way, and I’m now walking without any pain!” Brian B., York, PA
Brian B., York, PA
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1. Suspicious mass or tumor
a. On initial evaluation or follow up
2. Staging of known cancer
3. Suspected or known infection (septic arthritis or osteomyelitis)
4. Suspected Osteonecrosis
5. Evaluation of Rheumatoid Arthritis or other autoimmune diseases
6. Evaluation of Post-op Complications
a. Infection, delayed union, other
7. Suspected fracture with prior imaging non-diagnostic
8. Abnormal bones scan with non-diagnostic Xray
9. Significant injury with suspected ligament, cartilage, tendon, nerve or bone injury with non-diagnostic prior imaging
a. Suspected massive rotator cuff tear
10. Evaluation of pain or more minor injury with initial imaging non-diagnostic:
a. Pain lasting 3 months or greater
b. Failed conservative therapy: Must include each one:
i. Rest: modified activities or assistive devices/rigid splints or braces
ii. Ice or heat
iii. Medications and/or injections
iv. Physical therapy or a physician directed home exercise program
or chiropractic care
1. Document instructions given
2. Document compliance and results
3. Document duration and dates
1. Tumor, masses, or cancer: suspected or known
2. Neurological Deficits
3. Trauma or acute injury
a. With neurological deficits
b. With progressive symptoms during conservative treatment
4. Infection: known or suspected
5. Inflammation: Ankylosing Spondylitis
6. Pre-op Evaluation
7. Post-op Complications
8. Acute or Chronic Axial or radicular pain
a. Pain lasting 6 weeks or greater
b. ADLs must be affected
c. Progressive neurological deficit or an abnormal EMG
i. Must document specific dermatome, muscle weakness, reflex
abnormalities
d. Failed conservative therapy: Must include each one:
i. Rest: modified activities or bracing
ii. Ice or heat
iii. Medications, acupuncture or stimulators
1. Specific name of medication start date and duration and
results
iv. Epidurals or other injections (not trigger point injections)
v. Physical therapy or a physician directed home exercise program
or chiropractic care
1. Document instructions given
2. Document compliance and results
3. Document duration and dates
1. Musculoskeletal Pelvic MRI:
a. Mass or tumor
b. Significant injury to rule out fracture or other injury
c. Osteonecrosis of hips
d. Sacroiliitis
e. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
f. Pain lasting 3 months or greater
g. Failed conservative therapy: Must include each one:
i. Rest: modified activities or assistive devices/rigid
splints or braces
ii. Ice or heat
iii. Medications and/or injections
iv. Physical therapy or a physician directed home
exercise program or chiropractic care
1. Document instructions given
2. Document compliance and results
3. Document duration
h. Persistent Pain not responsive to 4 weeks of conservative treatment
2. Prostate Cancer Evaluation, follow up, and surveillance
3. Mass or Tumors
4. Cancer detection, staging, or surveillance
a. 3, 6, or 12 month follow up
5. Infection:
a. Appendicitis
b. Diverticulitis not responding to conservative care
c. Inflammatory bowel disease
d. Abscess suspected
e. Fistula
f. Abnormal fluid collection
6. Pelvic Floor failure
7. Uterine abnormalities
8. Undescended Testes
9. Pre-op Evaluation
10. Post-op Complication
1. Suspicious Mass or Tumor
a. On initial evaluation or follow up
2. Staging of known Cancer
3. Known or suspected infection
4. Suspected Osteonecrosis or Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
5. Suspected SCFE, tarsal coaltion
6. Evaluation of Post-op complication:
a. Infection, delayed union, other
7. Suspected fracture with prior imaging non-diagnostic
8. Abnormal bone scan with non-diagnostic xray
9. Significant injury with suspected ligament, cartilage, or bone injury
10. Evaluation of pain or more minor injury with initial imaging negative:
a. Pain lasting 3 months or greater
b. Failed conservative therapy: Must include each one:
i. Rest: modified activities or assistive devices/rigid splints or braces
ii. Ice or heat
iii. Medications and/or injections
iv. Physical therapy or a physician directed home exercise program orchiropractic care
1. Document instructions given
2. Document compliance and results
3. Document duration
1. Mediastinal or hilar mass
2. Myasthenia gravis with suspected thymoma
3. Brachial Plexus Dysfunction
4. Thoracic/Thoracoabdominal aneurysm
5. Suspected or confirmed Congenital Heart Disease
6. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
1. Suspected or known MS
2. Seizure disorder, known or suspected new or refractory
3. Suspected Parkinson’s disorder
4. Neurological symptoms or deficits
a. Acute, new or fluctuating deficits
5. Mental status changes
6. Trauma to the head with neurological changes, vomiting, headache
7. Evaluation of headaches
a. Chronic with change in pattern/character
b. Sudden onset severe headache
c. New onset headache in pregnancy
8. Suspected brain tumor or cancer
9. Known or suspected stroke
10. Suspected Infection
11. Suspected Congenital abnormality
12. New onset tinnitus or vertigo associated with visual changes
MRI
1. Suspicious Mass or Tumor
2. Surveillance of Mass, Tumor, or Cancer
a. 3, 6, 12 month follow up
3. Suspected infection:
a. Appendicitis
b. Peritonitis
c. Pancreatitis
d. Inflammatory bowel disease
e. Cholecystitis
f. Abscess
g. Fistula
h. Hepatitis C
4. Preoperative Evaluation
5. Post-op complication
MRCP
1. Suspected Congenital Abnormality
2. Chronic pancreatitis or related complications
3. Biliary tree symptoms
4. Pre-op Evaluation
5. Post-op complication or surveillance
6. Inconclusive abnormalities identified on other imaging
