Centinel Spine in the News: Advanced Spinal Reconstruction Procedure Now Available in Central Florida

CELEBRATION, FLORIDA (March, 2023) – Dr. Maahir Haque, a Board Certified and Fellowship Trained Orthopedic Spine Surgeon with Spine Group Orlando at Celebration Orthopaedics is at the forefront of Motion Preservation and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Central Florida.  He is the area’s leader in Lumbar Total Disc Replacements (TDR) procedures and has performed dozens of these procedures, on patients who come from around the Southeastern United States.  Dr. Haque recently performed his fifth multi-level Lumbar Disc Replacement.  

Whereas lumbar disc replacement was previously only FDA approved for single-level problems, Centinel Spine’s clinically proven prodisc® L Total Disc Replacement (TDR) technology has now received FDA approval for two-level implantation.  Many patients who previously were not candidates will now have access to this life-changing procedure.  The procedure offers a surgical alternative to spinal fusions in the lumbar spine and works to relieve pain in patients suffering from degenerated spinal discs, while maintaining motion over the long term¹ at the diseased spinal segment, and reducing adjacent-level degeneration and re-operations².

As spine treatments continue to advance through innovative technologies and motion preserving techniques, patients are seeking out alternatives to fusions.  Dr. Haque discussed his approach to spine care: “Most patients can recover a pain-free life with conservative care for their neck and back issues, however a small fraction require surgical treatment to relieve their pain. My primary goal has always been to provide the highest quality of care to our patients in the least invasive manner so that they may return to their functional lives as quickly and comfortably as possible. The Total Disc Replacement procedure is a minimally invasive spinal surgery that is used to treat degenerated and damaged discs, while preserving the natural structure and alignment of the spine and restoring fluid movement and flexibility.”

Dr. Haque went on to say, “Many patients are surprised to learn that lumbar disc replacement technology exists and that they are a candidate for the procedure.  With the newly approved two-level indication for prodisc L, more of my patients will be able to benefit from disc replacement technology.  By maintaining motion in the once-diseased segment of the spine through a minimally-invasive anterior approach, my patients benefit from a much faster recovery and return to active life, while decreasing the likelihood of developing degenerative changes at adjacent levels of the spine.  Unlike many fusion patients, disc replacement patients can return to sports and work, without physical limitation or permanent activity restrictions.”

Disc replacements are durable, having been studied in active-duty military patients.  83% of active duty military returned to full duty after lumbar disc replacement, while only 67% of fusion patients returned to full duty³.  Even years after surgery, a comparative five-year study showed a three times lower likelihood of adjacent level degeneration in those patients receiving the prodisc L total disc replacement versus those who received a fusion⁴. (Adjacent-level degeneration was characterized by a composite score including disc height loss, endplate sclerosis, osteophytes, and spondylolisthesis.)

The prodisc L system received one-level FDA approval in 2006 and since 2020 is the only total disc replacement device in the U.S. approved for two-level use in the lumbar spine. Recent expanded insurance coverage for lumbar TDR with the prodisc L device has contributed to the patient’s ability to have this procedure.

For today’s patient looking forward to a speedy recovery to an active life-style, disc replacement with prodisc L is a powerful treatment option worthy of consideration for appropriate patients.