From:
PubMed. Orthop Clin North Am. 2005 Jul;36(3):389-95.
Complications and strategies for revision surgery in total disc replacement
Bertagnoli R, Zigler J, Karg A, Voigt S
Abstract
Spinal arthroplasty is an acceptable alternative to fusion in many cases of disabling degenerative disc disease. Although arthroplasty has been demonstrated to be a safe and efficacious surgical option, complications related to the approach or the device may occur in few cases. Revision strategies for failed total disc arthroplasty can be planned as a posterior fusion, leaving the total disc replacement device in place, or by way of anterior removal with subsequent anterior fusion or revision replacement of the prosthesis.