The Artificial Disc Book

The development of new biocompatible implant materials as well as the advances in operative techniques in spinal surgery raise the question as to the prosthetic replacement of degenerated, herniated or injured intervertebral discs. Although "disc-surgery" accounts for the vast majority of all surgical procedures of the spine, the idea of an artificial disc has not yet found a final and satisfying solution. The purpose of the book is to give a survey of the state of the art concerning the concept, design, experimental investigations and, in some cases, clinical application of different kinds of disc prostheses. Only few scientific groups are dealing with this problem. Protagonists and representatives of all these groups have made contributions to this book, presenting their individual views, experimental approaches and clinical experience with different kinds of artificial discs.