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John L. Zeller, MD, PhD

JAMA. 2006;296:2665-2667.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

The placement of an artificial intervertebral disk can provide better functional results than spinal fusion in treating select patients with discogenic pain and spine instability, according to findings recently presented at the North American Spine Society's annual meeting, in Seattle.

The device, called the ProDisc-L (Synthes Spine Inc, West Chester, Penn), was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August for the treatment of pain associated with degenerative disk disease.

Placement of a new type of artificial intervertebral disk (anterior-posterior view at left, lateral view at right) found that the disk provided better functional results than spinal fusion in treating select patients with discogenic pain and spine instability. (Photo credit: Rick B. Delamarter, MD)

Although artificial disks for total disk replacement surgery have been commercially available in markets outside the United States since 1990, the ProDisc is only the second artificial disk . . . [Full Text of this Article]

COSTS OF LOW BACK PAIN