Lumbar Disc Replacement
with the Charite™ Artificial Disc

Dr. Paul Canale, Orthopaedic Specialist with the Alabama Spine Institute, a Division of Baldwin Bone and Joint, PC, is first in bringing Lumbar Disc Replacement to Southern Alabama and the Gulf Coast. This breakthrough treatment for lower back pain uses the Charite Artificial Disc and could replace spinal fusion surgery as the preferred treatment for hundreds of thousands of patients who seek help in reducing disabling back pain. It is the most significant advance in the treatment of disabling, chronic low back pain in more than 40 years.

ABOUT THE CHARITE ARTIFICIAL DISC

• The Charite Artificial Disc, made by DePuy Spine, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, is a high-tech artificial disc used to replace a damaged or worn out spinal disc. Designed to mimic a healthy disc, it helps maintain the position of the spine and allows flexibility to bend and twist.
  
  
• The disc is made of high quality materials that have been safely used in artificial hip and knee replacements.
  
  
• Designed for longevity. Studies show that many implants have been functioning properly for over 17 years.
  
  
• FDA approved for lumbar disc replacement in October of 2004 after extensive clinical studies.

WHO IS NOT A CANDIDATE FOR LUMBAR DISC REPLACEMENT?

Patients who:

• have either an infection throughout their body or localized to their spine.
  
  
• have disc deterioration or instability at more than one spinal level.
  
  
• have poor bone quality (osteoporosis or osteopenia).

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER ARTIFICIAL DISC SURGERY:

• During surgery, the patient lies on his back and the surgeon operates on the spine through an incision near the belly button. The procedure generally takes one to two hours.
  
  
• The average hospital stay for disc replacement surgery is about four days.
  
  
• Pain relief, the reduction of further degeneration and resumption of daily activities are typical goals of disc replacement surgery.
  

ABOUT DR. PAUL CANALE

Paul Canale, M.D., graduated from medical school at the Chicago Medical School, completed an orthopaedic residency at Wayne State University in Detroit and is dual fellowship-trained in complex lower extremity reconstruction/joint replacement and advanced techniques in spine surgery. He is also a graduate-level trained mechanical engineer.

Dr. Canale has performed the procedure on a number of patients and is bringing this new technology to Southern Alabama and the Gulf Coast. He has been in practice 14 years.

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT

Artificial disc replacement is not for everyone. As with any surgery, there are some possible complications that can occur, including unresolved pain, allergic reactions, bladder problems, and/or infection. If you feel that you might be a candidate for lumbar disc replacement surgery, call the Alabama Spine Institute, a division of Baldwin Bone & Joint, PC, at 251-625-2663 to make an appointment with Dr. Paul Canale.