Disc Replacement (Artificial Disc)
Disc replacement removes a damaged spinal disc and replaces it with an artificial implant designed to preserve natural movement at that level, rather than fusing the bones together. At Florence Healthcare International, JCI-accredited in Istanbul, our spine team reviews your MRI remotely and confirms whether you are a suitable candidate before you travel.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Disc replacement, also called artificial disc replacement or disc arthroplasty, treats a damaged spinal disc by removing it and inserting an artificial disc prosthesis in its place. Unlike spinal fusion, which permanently joins two vertebrae and removes movement at that segment, an artificial disc is engineered to preserve natural motion at the treated level. Maintaining this movement may also reduce the extra strain placed on the discs above and below, a long-term concern after fusion known as adjacent-segment disease. The procedure is performed in both the neck (cervical) and the lower back (lumbar) for disc degeneration or herniation that causes persistent pain or nerve symptoms.
Lumbar disc replacement is considered for carefully selected lower-back patients whose pain is mainly disc-related, with preserved facet joints, good bone quality and no major instability. It aims to reduce back or leg symptoms while keeping movement at the treated lumbar level, but it is not suitable for every form of low-back pain and requires detailed MRI-based selection.
Every international patient is supported by a dedicated coordinator from the first enquiry. Before you travel, our spine surgeons review your MRI and medical history remotely to confirm whether disc replacement is appropriate for you, and you receive a transparent, itemized cost estimate covering surgery, implant, hospital stay, and aftercare so there are no surprises on arrival.
Who is a candidate?
- Persistent neck or back pain, or nerve symptoms such as arm or leg pain, numbness, or weakness, caused by a degenerated or herniated disc
- Symptoms that have not improved sufficiently with physiotherapy, medication, and other non-surgical treatment
- Imaging that confirms the pain originates from one (or a limited number of) disc levels
- Good bone quality and otherwise healthy spinal structures, without significant facet-joint arthritis or instability
- Not generally suitable for patients with osteoporosis, marked spinal instability, advanced facet arthritis, active infection, or certain prior spine surgery
- Final suitability is always confirmed by our spine surgeon after reviewing your imaging
What happens
- 1
Assessment & imaging
Your coordinator gathers your history and MRI for remote review by our spine surgeon, who confirms whether disc replacement is the right option and which level needs treatment. On arrival, the plan is reviewed in person and any further imaging is completed.
- 2
The operation
Under general anesthesia, the surgeon reaches the spine through a small incision (from the front of the neck for cervical levels, or the abdomen for lumbar levels), removes the damaged disc, relieves pressure on the nerves, and places the artificial disc to restore height and movement.
- 3
Early recovery
You are encouraged to stand and walk soon after surgery. Most patients stay one to three nights, with pain managed closely. Cervical patients usually recover movement quickly; a soft collar or support is used only if needed.
- 4
Recovery & follow-up
You gradually return to light daily activity over the following weeks, guided by tailored physiotherapy, while avoiding heavy lifting and high-impact strain early on. Your coordinator arranges follow-up and keeps your home doctor informed.
Benefits
- Preserves natural movement at the treated spinal level rather than fusing it
- May reduce extra stress on neighbouring discs, lowering the risk of adjacent-segment problems over time
- Relieves pain and nerve symptoms caused by the damaged disc
- Often allows a quicker return to motion and daily activity than fusion, with no waiting for bone to fuse
- Performed through a small incision by an experienced spine team
Risks & considerations
- General surgical and anesthetic risks, including bleeding and infection
- Risk of injury to nearby nerves, blood vessels, or, rarely, the esophagus or airway in cervical surgery
- Possible implant wear, loosening, or movement over time, occasionally requiring further surgery
- Some patients may not gain full symptom relief, or may still need a fusion later
- Temporary difficulty swallowing or hoarseness after cervical procedures, usually settling with time
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Spine Center & Orthopedics Department.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Disc Replacement (Artificial Disc) — frequently asked questions
Spinal fusion permanently joins two vertebrae together, which removes movement at that level and relies on the bones healing into one. An artificial disc instead replaces the damaged disc with an implant designed to preserve movement at that level. Preserving motion may also reduce the extra strain placed on the discs above and below over time. Fusion remains the better choice for some patients, and our surgeon will advise which approach suits your spine.
Good candidates usually have pain or nerve symptoms from one or a limited number of damaged disc levels, good bone quality, and otherwise healthy spinal structures. Disc replacement is generally not suitable for patients with osteoporosis, significant spinal instability, advanced facet-joint arthritis, active infection, or certain previous spine surgery. The only way to be sure is a review of your MRI by our spine surgeon, which we arrange before you travel.
Artificial discs are made from durable materials designed to function for many years, and modern implants have a strong long-term track record. As with any implant, wear or loosening is possible over time and may, in some cases, require further surgery. Your surgeon will discuss what to realistically expect for your particular implant and level.
The cost depends on whether one or more levels are treated, the implant used, and your overall care needs, so we provide a transparent, itemized estimate after our surgeon has reviewed your case rather than a generic figure. Most patients stay in hospital for one to three nights, and your coordinator will help plan your total time in Istanbul, including recovery before you fly home.
Yes. We ask for your MRI and medical history so our spine surgeon can review them remotely and confirm whether disc replacement is appropriate before you make any travel plans. This remote review, arranged through your dedicated coordinator, means you arrive with a clear, personalized plan and itemized estimate already in place.
Related treatments
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