Artificial Disc Replacement: A Motion-Preserving Path Beyond Fusion
Part of our Superior Surgery approach to spine care
If you've been told that spinal fusion is your only option, we want you to know something before you read any further: it often isn't.
Artificial disc replacement (ADR) has given thousands of patients a way to resolve disc-related pain while keeping the natural movement of their spine intact.
On this page, we'll walk through what the procedure involves, who tends to be a good fit, and how it compares to fusion, so you can walk into your next conversation with a surgeon already informed.
This information builds on what you'll find on our Superior Surgery page, where Dr. Kimball explains what to look for in a spine surgeon. Here, we're going deeper into the procedure itself.
What Is Artificial Disc Replacement?
Your spine is built around a stack of spinal discs: soft, flexible cushions that sit between each vertebra and allow you to bend, twist, and absorb impact.
When one of those discs degenerates, herniates, or wears down from injury, the result is often pain that radiates into the neck, back, arms, or legs, along with a noticeable loss of function.
Artificial disc replacement is a surgical procedure that removes the damaged disc and replaces it with a device engineered to mimic the disc's natural motion.
Unlike older surgical treatments that simply removed the problem, ADR is designed to preserve how your spine actually moves. That's why it's often described as motion-preserving spine surgery.
There are two primary forms of artificial disc replacement:
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Cervical disc replacement, which addresses damaged discs in the neck and can relieve pain that radiates into the shoulders, arms, or hands.
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Lumbar disc replacement, which addresses damaged discs in the lower back and can relieve pain that radiates into the hips or legs.
Both versions of ADR surgery are built on the same principle: fix the source of the pain without permanently locking the segment in place.
For some patients, disc replacement is also considered alongside other minimally invasive options, such as endoscopic spine surgery, which can address certain disc and nerve problems through an even smaller incision. Part of a thorough evaluation is determining which of these approaches best fits your anatomy.
Who Is a Candidate for ADR?
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of spine care, and it's worth saying plainly: many patients who seek a second opinion after being told they need fusion ultimately learn they are candidates for motion-preserving alternatives.
However, not everyone is eligible. That’s because eligibility depends largely on the specific anatomy involved, not just your age, a diagnosis label, or a quick glance at imaging.
Generally speaking, candidates for disc replacement are people who:
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Have persistent neck or back pain, often with pain radiating into the arms or legs, that hasn't responded to conservative therapies like physical therapy, injections, or activity modification
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Have disc damage isolated to one or two spinal levels
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Have healthy enough bone density and joint structure to support an artificial disc
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Haven't had prior surgery at the same level that would rule out the procedure
Our Approach to Artificial Disc Replacement
Dr. Kimball's approach starts with understanding the whole picture: how your symptoms connect to what's actually happening on your imaging, and what that means anatomically. From there, he'll walk you through every reasonable surgical option and every reasonable non-surgical option before recommending a path forward.
In fact, many patients he sees have already been told fusion is their only choice, only to learn during a second opinion that they qualify for a motion-preserving alternative instead — whether that's artificial disc replacement, minimally invasive decompression, or endoscopic spine surgery.
If you've been told you're not a candidate, or you were only offered one option, it's worth getting a second set of eyes on your case before deciding anything.
ADR vs. Spinal Fusion: Why Motion Preservation Matters
Fusion surgeries have been a standard part of spine care for decades, and for certain conditions, fusion is genuinely the right call. But fusion works by permanently joining two vertebrae together, which eliminates motion at that segment. That can mean more strain gets transferred to the discs above and below the fused level over time.
Disc replacement vs. fusion isn't a question of one being universally "better." It's a question of matching the right surgical option to the right anatomy and the right goals. For appropriately selected patients, ADR offers a meaningful alternative: it addresses the damaged disc while preserving the segment's natural motion, rather than eliminating it.
Here's the part that surprises a lot of patients: many spine surgeons do not routinely perform artificial disc replacement because it requires specialized training, experience, and technology that not every surgical practice has invested in. That's not necessarily because fusion is wrong for those patients. It's often simply a reflection of what a given practice offers.
Dr. Kimball has spent his career focused specifically on this space, with extensive experience performing both cervical and lumbar disc replacement across Colorado and the surrounding region. If a fusion has been recommended to you, asking for a second opinion from a surgeon who regularly performs both procedures is a reasonable — and increasingly common — step before committing to surgery.
What to Expect: The ADR Procedure
Every surgical plan starts with a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and imaging, so you understand exactly why a particular approach is being recommended. You can begin that process from home through our online evaluation process, which allows our team to review your case and get you scheduled for a consultation.
If artificial disc replacement is the right surgical treatment for your situation, here's a general overview of what the procedure involves:
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Pre-operative planning. Imaging and a detailed review of your anatomy help determine the right disc size and approach for your case.
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The procedure itself. Using a small incision and specialized instrumentation, the damaged disc is removed and the artificial disc is placed to restore normal disc height and motion at that level.
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Recovery. Many ADR patients recover more quickly than traditional fusion patients, though every case is different. It’s important to remember that recovery involves more than the incision healing. It's a structured process that includes postoperative rehabilitation, neuromuscular re-education to restore proper movement patterns and muscle function, and a progressive return to activity guided by your care team. Physical therapy plays an important role throughout, but the overall goal is broader: retraining your spine and the muscles that support it to move well again.
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Follow-up care. Ongoing appointments allow Dr. Kimball and his team to monitor healing and confirm the disc replacement is functioning as intended.
Because movement itself plays a role in healing, our practice also offers complementary treatments, including regenerative injection therapy and electromagnetic neuromuscular stimulation, that can support tissue recovery before and after surgery. The goal throughout is the same: protect and restore function, not just eliminate a symptom.
Why Choose Dr. Kimball?
Dr. Kimball is a dual-trained neurosurgeon and orthopedic spine surgeon based in Lone Tree, Colorado, with more than 15 years of experience and a career built specifically around motion preservation. He has performed over 500 cervical disc replacements and more than 300 lumbar disc replacements, giving him a depth of experience in artificial disc replacement Colorado patients often can't find close to home.
Unlike practices that primarily perform spinal fusion, Dr. Kimball has built his career around motion-preserving spine surgery, including cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacement, minimally invasive decompression, and endoscopic spine surgery. Every patient receives an individualized evaluation to determine whether preserving motion is possible before fusion is ever recommended.
What sets our practice apart isn't surgical volume alone. It's a philosophy that puts function first: understanding the root anatomical cause of a patient's pain, explaining it clearly, and walking through every reasonable surgical and non-surgical option before making a recommendation. Many patients who come to Dr. Kimball have already been told they need a fusion, or that they aren't candidates for disc replacement at all, yet turn out to be eligible after a closer look.
We also believe strongly that your care should be guided by your anatomy and your goals, not by what's easiest to approve, or what a friend or loved one has had done. Take the time to understand your own condition, ask questions, and get a second opinion if something doesn't feel fully explained. It's your spine, and your decision.
You can learn more about his training and background on our Meet Dr. Kimball page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Artificial Disc Replacement
Is artificial disc replacement a major surgery?
ADR is a significant surgical procedure, but many patients find the recovery process more straightforward than they expected, particularly compared to multi-level fusion surgeries. Your surgical team will walk you through exactly what to expect for your specific case.
How do I know if I need cervical or lumbar disc replacement?
That depends on where your damaged disc is located and where your symptoms originate. An evaluation of your imaging and symptom history will clarify which surgical option, if any, applies to you.
I was already told I need a fusion. Can I still ask about disc replacement?
Yes. Many patients seeking a second opinion have already received a fusion recommendation elsewhere. It's a common and reasonable step to confirm you've reviewed every appropriate option, including motion-preserving alternatives like disc replacement and endoscopic spine surgery.
Does insurance cover artificial disc replacement?
Many commercial insurance plans cover artificial disc replacement for appropriately selected patients. Our team will review your insurance benefits with you and help you understand your coverage and financial responsibilities before treatment.
How long does recovery typically take?
Recovery timelines vary considerably between patients. While artificial disc replacements are generally well integrated into the surrounding bone by approximately three months, this does not necessarily represent full recovery. Recovery depends on many factors, including the degree of spinal degeneration, how long symptoms have been present, overall health, the presence or absence of neuromuscular atrophy, chronic pain pathways, and adherence to postoperative rehabilitation.
Your care team will provide a personalized recovery plan that includes postoperative rehabilitation, neuromuscular re-education, and a progressive return to activity based on your individual recovery.
Take the Next Step Toward Motion-Preserving Care
You don't have to accept the first recommendation you're given, and you don't have to settle for care that doesn't fully explain your options. If you're dealing with neck or back pain and want to understand whether artificial disc replacement could be right for you, start with our online evaluation process. Our team will review your information and help you take the next step toward getting back to the life you want to live.