If your Degenerated Disc Disease (DDD) is too advanced to be treated successfully by Selective Endoscopic Discectomy (SED), then you might be a candidate for artificial total disc replacement. We believe in preserving motion and avoiding spinal fusion. The results for the CHARITE Artificial Disc are better that the results for spinal fusion and the recovery is significantly faster.

The CHARITÉ™ Artificial Disc is an alternative to spinal fusion for patients that have one diseased disc between L4 and L5 or between L5 and S1. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is defined as a disc that has worn out or become injured and causes back pain. The disc deterioration is confirmed by history and x rays or other diagnostic imaging. Patients with DDD whose vertebrae (bones) have moved less than 3mm (0.12in) may still receive the CHARITÉ™ Artificial Disc. Patients receiving the CHARITÉ™ Artificial Disc should have failed at least six months of treatment such as pain medication, a back brace, or physical therapy. Patients who have had some types of minor lower back surgery may still receive the CHARITÉ™ Artificial Disc.

Dr. Gross can help you determine if you are a candidate for the CHARITÉ™ Artificial Disc.

Who is a Not a Candidate?

While the use of an artificial disc is considered to be an extremely effective option for patients with degenerative disc disease, this technology is not appropriate for everyone. The CHARITÉ™ Artificial Disc should not be used if:

• you have either an infection throughout your body or localized to your spine; or,
• you have disc deterioration or instability at more than one spinal level; or,
• if you have poor bone quality (osteoporosis or osteopenia).
• if you have severe arthritis in your facet joints

Your occupation or activity levels, your weight, the condition of other levels of your spine, whether or not you are pregnant, and any allergies you have may influence whether you should have surgery with the CHARITÉ™ Artificial Disc.

During disc replacement surgery, the surgeon will remove the damaged disc and replace it with an artificial disc. The goal of this and most all spine surgeries is to help to reduce your pain and restore activity.

One of the artificial discs with the longest clinical history is the CHARITÉ™ Artificial Disc. It is the first and only FDA approved artificial disc on the market today. It has been approved for use in patients that have one diseased disc in the lumbar area of the spine.

Preclinical testing indicates that the CHARITÉ™ Artificial Disc system is designed to:

• Maintain motion in the area of the spine where the disc is implanted
• Maintain stability in your spine
• Restore proper disc height between the vertebrae above and below the disc
• Re-establish proper spinal alignment / curvature of your spine in the lumbar area
• Reduce discogenic pain

To see an animation of the CHARITE Artificial Disc system please click on the following:

CHARITE Artificial Disc Video

 

Treating Patients from all over California, The United States, and the World.
Alhambra, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Burbank, Camarillo, Canoga Park, Carlsbad, Commerce, Culver City, El Monte, Encino,  Garden Grove, Glendale, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, Inglewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach,  Marina Del Rey, Newbury Park, Northridge, Oak Viero, Pacific Palisades, Palm Springs, Pasadena, Playa Del Rey, Pomona, Redondo Beach,  Reseda, Rolling Hills, San Diego, San Pedro, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, South Gate, Studio City, Tarzana, Toluca Lake, Topanga,  Torrance, Van Nuys, Venice, West Hills, West Hollywood, West Palmdale, Woodland Hills