Tag Archives: activL Artificial Disc

New Procedure Gives Young, Active Lehigh Valley Patient with Degenerative Disc Disease Hope for an End to Chronic Pain.

Dr. Jeffrey McConnell is the first spine surgeon in the Lehigh Valley to successfully implant an innovative artificial spinal disc replacement device to address chronic low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. The  activL^® Artificial Disc from Aesculap Implant Systems is designed to closely mirror the natural movement of a healthy human spine, preserving more motion in the spine than traditional fusion surgery.

With traditional fusion surgery, some patients with degenerative disc disease have reported pain at levels adjacent to their initial fusion several years after surgery. In clinical studies, patients who received a lumbar artificial disc were three times less likely to experience pain at adjacent levels 5 years after their procedure than patients who received a fusion.

“I have been an early adopter of motion-preserving procedures because I have seen the value in both my own patients as well as in the academic literature,” said Dr. McConnell. “I believe that the activL Artificial Disc represents the next generation of spinal disc replacement technology, especially for younger, more active patients.”

McConnell performed the first surgery using activL Artificial Disc at St. Luke’s Allentown campus in May. “Two weeks following my patient’s initial surgery she is already reporting a significant reduction in the pain she experienced before the procedure, and she is up and walking around,” said McConnell. “I am confident as she continues to heal that she will greatly benefit from receiving this artificial disc.”

Aesculap’s activL Artificial Disc was approved by the FDA in June 2015, making it the first new lumbar disc on the market in nine years.