Lumbar Total Disc Replacement Surgery Performed Near Waller, TX

Young male runner pausing on a running path due to low back pain

A lumbar total disc replacement is a type of spine surgery that may be performed to address low back pain and other symptoms caused by a herniated disc in the lower back. If you have been diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation, R. Alexander Mohr, MD, FAAOS, can help you decide if this procedure is right for you. Dr. Mohr is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who practices with Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine near Waller, Texas.

Widely regarded as a spine surgery innovator, Dr. Mohr has mastered lumbar total disc replacement surgery and other complex spine procedures. He emphasizes conservative treatment and incorporates minimally invasive techniques into open spine procedures when appropriate. In every case, his goal is to find the least invasive path to relief for the patient.

When Is a Lumbar Total Disc Replacement Considered?

Dr. Mohr will begin your treatment journey by determining the full nature and extent of your low back pain and spinal damage. To do so, he will ask about your symptoms, examine your spine, review your imaging scans and consider other factors, such as your age and lifestyle. In general, lumbar total disc replacement surgery may be a good option for you if:

The source of your low back pain is one damaged disc in your lumbar spine
The damaged disc is not severely compressing your spinal cord
You do not have a coexisting spine condition, such as osteoarthritis or scoliosis
You have not had spine surgery before
You maintain a healthy, stable body weight

What Can You Expect With Lumbar Total Disc Replacement Surgery?

Immediately before your procedure, you will receive an anesthetic through an intravenous line in your arm or hand. While you lie on your back, Dr. Mohr will make an incision in your abdomen, then move aside the underlying organs and tissues to access your spine. He will then remove the damaged disc and put an artificial disc in its place. After Dr. Mohr closes the incision, you will be taken to a recovery area, where you will be monitored until you wake up.

Before you are discharged, Dr. Mohr will answer your questions and provide detailed post-operative instructions as well as a timeline for your recovery. As your body heals over the next few months, your spine will adjust to the new disc.

If you would like to meet with Dr. Mohr to explore your treatment options for low back pain, contact his office today to schedule an appointment near Waller, TX.