Motion Preservation
Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery
Motion-Preserving Lumbar Disc Replacement in Phoenix, AZ — An Alternative to Lumbar Fusion
For the right patient, a worn lower-back disc can be replaced with an artificial one that preserves motion — instead of a lumbar fusion. Lumber disc replacement surgery replaces a damaged or degenerated disc in the lower with an artificial disc implant that restores height and maintains flexibility. At Desert Spine and Pain, neurosurgeon Dr. David L. Greenwald, M.D., FAANS, FACS offers lumbar disc replacement for carefully selected patients who want relief from back and leg pain without sacrificing spinal motion.
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Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Lumbar disc replacement removes a worn, painful lower-back disc and replaces it with an artificial one that preserves motion — a motion-preserving alternative to a lumbar fusion for suitable patients with disc-related back pain.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500How Lumbar Disc Replacement Works
Procedure Overview
When a lower-back disc is worn and is the confirmed source of pain, one option is a lumbar fusion; another, for the right patient, is to replace the disc with an artificial disc. Placed through a front (anterior) approach, it restores disc height and preserves motion at the segment — which may reduce the extra stress a fusion can place on neighboring discs over time.
Conditions We Treat
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related drying and thinning of the discs that can cause pain.
Learn MoreAm I a Candidate?
Lumbar disc replacement suits a specific group: patients with disc-related (discogenic) back pain, healthy facet joints, and good alignment at the treated level, without significant instability. Candidacy is more selective than in the neck. Because Dr. Greenwald performs both disc replacement and fusion, a thorough evaluation determines which genuinely fits your spine.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Benefits & Risks
Relieves disc-related back pain while preserving motion; avoids the back muscles via a front approach; may protect neighboring discs; no fusion to heal.
Risks include those of an anterior abdominal approach (vascular injury is uncommon but serious), bleeding, infection, implant issues, and, uncommonly, nerve injury. Candidacy is selective. Dr. Greenwald reviews your candidacy and risks thoroughly.
Expected Outcomes
For carefully selected patients, lumbar disc replacement relieves discogenic pain while preserving motion. Because lumbar candidacy is more selective than cervical, a thorough evaluation by a surgeon who performs both disc replacement and fusion is essential. We set clear, individualized expectations and are candid about candidacy.
Life Beyond the Pain
How It's Performed
Through a small incision at the front of the abdomen, the surgeon reaches the lumbar spine (an approach that avoids the back muscles entirely), removes the worn disc, and implants a precisely sized artificial disc to restore height and preserve motion. No fusion is performed.
Your procedure is performed by Dr. Greenwald at an affiliated, accredited surgical facility — not in the clinic office — with a full surgical and anesthesia team.
Recovery & Return to Activity
| Timeframe | What to expect |
|---|---|
| First week | Usually home the same day or after one night. Short walks; avoid heavy lifting and extremes of bending; early gentle motion is encouraged. |
| Weeks 2–6 | Steady return to daily activities and desk work; because there's no fusion to protect, motion is often resumed sooner than after a fusion. |
| Months 2–3 | Resume most normal activities with preserved motion at the treated level. |
| Month 6 | Most patients reach full recovery. |
Because there's no fusion to heal, recovery after a disc replacement can be quicker than after a fusion for suitable patients. Your timeline depends on your anatomy and overall health.
Insurance, Out-of-Network & Cost
Cost and coverage shouldn't stand between you and relief. Desert Spine and Pain welcomes out-of-network patients and will walk you through what your evaluation and treatment are likely to involve before anything is scheduled — so there are no surprises. We'll help you understand your benefits and options, whether you're using insurance, paying out-of-pocket, or being treated under a personal-injury claim.
Proudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area
Patients travel to Desert Spine and Pain from across Arizona for specialist spine care — because the right spine surgeon is worth the drive. We welcome patients from Phoenix and communities throughout the Valley and beyond:
…and surrounding Arizona communities. Out-of-network patients are welcome, and no referral is required — schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Our Spine Specialists in Phoenix
Choosing the right spine specialist in Phoenix matters. At Desert Spine and Pain, your care is led by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a physician who is both a board-certified spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. That dual expertise is rare, and it means one expert can guide you across the full spectrum of care — from a simple injection to complex surgery — and recommend what is genuinely best for you, whether you need a spine doctor for conservative care or a surgeon when surgery is truly the answer.
A rare dual credential — so the specialist who treats you can also perform surgery if it's ever needed.
Most patients get better without surgery. We only advance when your condition truly requires it.
No referral needed. We make it straightforward to see a top spine specialist, even out-of-network.
24/7 concierge response and close coordination with personal-injury attorneys.
A motion-preserving alternative to lumbar fusion.
See a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in Phoenix to find out whether lumbar disc replacement is right for you.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Lumbar Disc Replacement: Frequently Asked Questions
Is lumbar disc replacement right for me?
Candidacy is selective — it suits patients with discogenic back pain, healthy facet joints, and good alignment. A thorough evaluation determines whether disc replacement or a fusion fits you best.
How is it different from a fusion?
A fusion joins the segment; disc replacement preserves motion. For a suitable patient, preserving motion may protect neighboring discs. Because Dr. Greenwald performs both, he can tell you honestly which fits your spine.
Why the front approach?
Reaching the lumbar disc from the front avoids the back muscles entirely, which can mean a more comfortable recovery. It requires specific expertise, which we provide.
How long do the implants last?
Modern lumbar artificial discs are engineered for long-term durability. Your surgeon will review the current evidence with you.
Do I need a referral in Phoenix?
No. You can schedule directly with our Phoenix spine specialists, and we welcome out-of-network patients.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD
Neuro-Spine Surgeon
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If you’re suffering from chronic lower back pain due to a damaged or degenerated lumbar disc, Lumbar Disc Replacement may be the ideal solution. Dr. Greenwald and his caring team will assess your condition, review imaging, and determine whether you’re a candidate for this motion-preserving procedure. Every step you take toward expert spine care brings you closer to comfort, flexibility, and a stronger, healthier back. Schedule your consultation today and learn how Dr. Greenwald’s expertise in Lumbar Disc Replacement can help you return to an active, pain-free life.
Voted Best Spine Doctor
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS
Neurosurgeon | Spine Surgeon | Regenerative Medicine
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, is a board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon with advanced expertise in lumbar disc replacement. He commonly uses it to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease and lower back pain, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness. Using advanced, minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, Dr. Greenwald relieves nerve compression and instability while protecting healthy tissue and preserving spinal stability. His skill and patient-centered approach help patients throughout the greater Phoenix, Arizona area experience meaningful pain relief, reduced recovery time, and restored mobility.
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