- best Disc Replacement Surgeon Beverly Hills
Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery
Experience advanced artificial disc replacement surgery in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Restore spine mobility, reduce pain, and recover faster with expert minimally invasive spine care.
- Artificial Disc Replacement Explained
What Is Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery?
Artificial disc replacement, or ADR, is a procedure that removes a damaged spinal disc and replaces it with an FDA-approved metal and plastic disc. Unlike spinal fusion, which locks the vertebrae together, ADR keeps the spine flexible at the treated level.
The artificial disc has two main parts. The endplates, made of cobalt-chromium or titanium, attach to the bones above and below. The polymer core sits between the endplates and acts like a healthy disc, allowing forward and backward bending, side-to-side movement, and rotation.
ADR surgery is done from the front of the body. The surgeon makes a 3–8 centimeter cut, usually just left of the belly button. The abdominal muscles are gently moved aside, not cut, and the peritoneal sac is moved to reach the front of the spine.
Dr. Wong performs both cervical ADR for neck pain and lumbar ADR for lower back pain. He uses FDA-approved devices such as ProDisc, activL, Mobi-C, and Prestige LP. Each device is chosen based on your spine, condition, and surgical goals.
99%+
Screw Placement Accuracy
- Advantages of ADR Over Fusion
Key Benefits of Artificial Disc Replacement
Preserved Natural Spine Motion
Spinal fusion locks vertebrae together, but ADR keeps forward bending, side bending, and rotation at the treated disc level. This keeps the spine flexible.
Smaller Incision, Minimal Scarring
The anterior approach uses a 3–8 centimeter incision through the abdomen. Muscles are separated, not cut, so there is less tissue trauma and nearly invisible scarring.
Faster Recovery Than Fusion
Most ADR patients go home in 1–2 days and return to light work in 2–3 weeks. Fusion patients usually need 3–6 months to recover and follow activity limits.
No Bone Graft Needed
ADR does not need bone graft from the hip or synthetic bone material. This avoids a common source of pain and complications after surgery.
Lower Risk of Adjacent Level Disease
ADR keeps the treated disc moving, which reduces stress on neighboring discs. This may protect the spine from future problems.
Less Radiation Exposure
Pre-operative CT planning reduces the need for intraoperative fluoroscopy, lowering radiation dose for patients and staff.
- Our Step-by-Step
The Disc Replacement Process
From pre-operative planning to verified placement — every step is engineered for precision, safety, and faster recovery.
3×
Faster Recovery
Pre-Surgical Imaging & Evaluation
Advanced MRI, CT scans, and X-rays map the spine in detail. The surgeon checks disc height, vertebra alignment, and motion to choose the right disc prosthesis for your body.
Minimally Invasive Access
A small incision at the front of the body allows the surgeon to reach the damaged disc. Major blood vessels and organs are moved carefully. No back muscles are cut, keeping the back structures fully intact.
Disc Removal & Prosthesis Implantation
The damaged disc is removed, and the space is prepared. The artificial disc, sized for your body, is placed precisely between the vertebrae using X-ray guidance. This restores disc height and proper alignment.
Verification & Recovery
X-rays confirm the prosthesis is in the right position and the spine is aligned. Most patients walk within hours and leave the hospital in 1-3 days. Physical therapy starts early to improve motion and strength.
- Conditions We Treat
Conditions Treated with Artificial Disc Replacement
Artificial disc replacement is ideal for patients with disc-related pain who want to maintain spinal mobility rather than undergo fusion.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Replacement of worn or collapsed discs that cause chronic neck or back pain with a prosthetic disc. This restores disc height and motion.
Cervical Disc Disease
Cervical ADR treats neck disc problems while keeping neck motion. It avoids stiffness and stress on nearby discs that can happen with fusion.
Lumbar Disc Disease
Lumbar ADR restores disc height and motion in the lower back. It is ideal for active patients who want to keep flexibility.
Herniated Discs
Complete removal of a damaged disc and replacement with an artificial disc. This removes the source of nerve compression permanently.
Radiculopathy
Nerve pain caused by disc compression is relieved by removing the disc and replacing it with a motion-preserving prosthesis.
Myelopathy
Spinal cord compression from a herniated disc can be treated with ADR. The cord is decompressed while motion is preserved.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
When physical therapy, injections, and medications do not give lasting relief, ADR provides a motion-preserving solution.
Adjacent Segment Disease
If discs above or below a prior fusion have degenerated, ADR can treat the new problem while keeping motion in other segments.
- Your Surgeon
Expert Lumbar & Cervical Artificial Disc Surgery in Los Angeles
Choosing the best ADR surgeon means choosing expertise, precision, and compassionate care. Dr. Wong delivers all three.
About Dr. Albert P. Wong
Meet Dr. Albert P. Wong, MD
Board-Certified Neurosurgeon & Spine Specialist in Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Albert P. Wong, a leading board-certified dual fellowship-trained neurosurgeon in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, specializes in lumbar artificial disc replacement and cervical artificial disc replacement. He uses advanced minimally invasive techniques combined with robotic-assisted technology to restore spinal motion, relieve chronic pain, and enable a faster return to daily activities. Every procedure is personalized for maximum precision safety and superior long-term outcomes.
As a recognized expert in motion preservation, Dr. Wong offers artificial disc replacement as a superior alternative to traditional spinal fusion for suitable patients.
For top-tier artificial disc replacement in Los Angeles, trust Dr. Albert P. Wong, delivering cutting-edge neurosurgical solutions and exceptional spine health results.
Board-Certified
Neurosurgeon
Dual Fellowship
Stanford & Northwestern
60+
Publications
20+
Years Experience
Education & Training
Fellowship
Stanford Health Care-Sponsored Stanford University
Neurosurgical Spine Surgery, 2014-2015
Residency
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University
Residency
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University
Neurosurgical Spine Surgery, 2012-2013
Medical Degree
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Internship
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University
Transitional Year, 2007-2008
Core Specialties
Herniated Disc Surgery
Hospital Affiliations
> DOCS Surgical Hospital – Los Angeles, CA
> Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital – Santa Rosa, CA
> Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – Los Angeles, CA
> UC Irvine Medical Center – Orange, CA
Book a Consultation
> (310) 746-5918
> Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 5 PM
> 8436 W. 3rd St., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90048
- Patient Testimonial
What our patients says
- Area We Serve
Serving Patients Across Greater Los Angeles
Dr. Wong's office is located at 8436 W. 3rd St, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Patients visit from across Southern California and beyond.
Beverly Hills
West Hollywood
Santa Monica
Brentwood
Westwood
Century City
Pacific Palisades
Bel Air
Hollywood
Downtown LA
Pasadena
Glendale
Culver City
Manhattan Beach
Malibu
Encino
Sherman Oaks
Sherman Oaks
- Visit Our Beverly Hills Office
Artificial Disc Replacement Clinic in Los Angeles
Dr. Albert P. Wong, MD
8436 W. 3rd St, Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone
(310) 746-5918
info@dralbertpwong.com
Office Hours
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
- Faqs
Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery
Relieve chronic neck and back pain with artificial disc replacement surgery at Wong Spine. Led by Dr. Albert P. Wong, this minimally invasive procedure restores spine mobility, preserves natural movement, and offers faster recovery for patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and nearby communities.
Most patients notice improvement within days. Full recovery typically takes several weeks to three months, depending on the procedure and individual healing.
Cervical disc replacement targets discs in the neck, while lumbar disc replacement focuses on the lower back. Both aim to relieve pain and restore motion.
ADR preserves natural spine movement, reduces stress on adjacent discs, and generally allows faster recovery compared to fusion surgery.
Dr. Albert P. Wong performs the procedure by making a small incision, removing the damaged disc, placing the artificial disc, and closing the incision carefully.
You’ll receive detailed recovery instructions, follow-up appointments to monitor healing, and ongoing support to answer any questions during your recovery.
Costs vary depending on the procedure and insurance coverage. Our team can provide a personalized estimate and help with insurance verification.
Candidates typically have chronic neck or back pain that hasn’t improved with non-surgical treatments, with confirmed disc damage on imaging. Dr. Wong evaluates each case individually.
Many patients resume light daily activities within a few days, while full return to strenuous activities depends on individual recovery and Dr. Wong’s guidance.
Lumbar disc replacement is often an outpatient procedure, but some patients may stay overnight for monitoring depending on individual circumstances.
Some patients experience immediate pain relief after surgery, while for others, improvement occurs gradually over weeks as healing progresses.