CHARITE™ Artificial Disc

One of the artificial discs with the longest clinical history is the CHARITE™ Artificial Disc. It is the first and only FDA approved artificial disc on the market today. It has been approved for use in patients that have one diseased disc in the lumbar area of the spine.

Preclinical testing indicates that the CHARITE™ Artificial Disc system is designed to:

Maintain motion in the area of the spine where the disc is implanted
Maintain stability in your spine
Restore proper disc height between the vertebrae above and below the disc
Re-establish proper spinal alignment / curvature of your spine in the lumbar area
Reduce discogenic pain
Talk with your doctor to find out if artificial disc replacement is an option for you.

What Happens During the Surgery?

When undergoing surgery with the CHARITE™ Artificial Disc, you will be lying on your back and the surgeon will operate on your spine through an incision near your belly button. During the disc replacement surgery, the surgeon will remove the diseased disc and replace it with the CHARITE™ Artificial Disc.

Disc Implant in Spine

There are alternative treatments to this surgery. You should discuss these other possibilities with your surgeon before you make your decision.

What Possible Complications Could Occur?

As with any surgery, there are some possible complications that can occur when you have disc replacement surgery with the CHARITE™ Artificial Disc. Complications can occur singly or in combination and may include:

allergic reaction to the implant materials
bladder problems
bleeding, which may require a blood transfusion
death
implants that bend, break, loosen or move
infection
pain or discomfort
paralysis
side effects from anesthesia
slow movement of the intestines
spinal cord or nerve damage
spinal fluid leakage
the need for additional surgery
tears of the dura (a layer of tissue covering the spinal cord)
problems with your blood vessels other than bleeding incision problems