Orthopaedic Services and Procedures

OPERATIVE PROCEDURES

• Disc Replacement, Lumbar (Charité™)

The CHARITÉ Artificial Disc is composed of two metallic endplates and a polyethylene core that moves between them. During the surgery, the patient’s degenerated disc is removed and a pair of endplates made of cobalt chromium are inserted in the space between the vertebrae and attached to the vertebrae above and below the disc. A polyethylene material is then inserted between the plates to create a disc-like structure that mimics the normal disc by providing both a normal level of separation between the vertebrae and allowing the usual range of motion and flexibility for that segment of the spine.