SOUTHLAKE, Texas -- The standard treatment for a herniated disk is fusion, a procedure in which bone graft and metal stabilize the vertebrae, but the technique can put stress on the discs above and below the fusion.

However, doctors are testing a new procedure to improve mobility and speed recovery time.

Dr. David Rothbart, of SpineTeamTexas, said the new technique uses an artificial disc aimed at preserving motion and decreasing future problems.

Deena Mohon was recently fitted with an artificial disc and said it alleviated her neck pain and restored movement.

Mohon said she expected to be immobile for at least a week, but actually began walking just hours after her surgery.

Lori McGee was the first patient in the world to get the artificial cervical disc.

Six weeks after surgery, she was heading toward a full recovery.

Doctors will monitor Mohon, McGee and other patients for two years to study exactly how the artificial discs perform.

Twenty-five centers in the United States are involved in the clinical trial, including SpineTeamTexas.

The study is enrolling 400 patients with a single herniated disc or bone spur in the neck.

For more information please use the resources below.

SpineTeamTexas
(817) 749-2141
www.spineteamtexas.com

orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=185&topcategory=Spine
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000442.htm