Researchers are studying the potential role of artificial spinal disc replacement surgery as a means of treating degenerative disc disease. In this procedure, the damaged disc is removed and a disc made of metal and plastic that is about the size of a quarter is inserted into the spine. It is believed that ideal candidates for this surgery have the following characteristics:

• Between 20 and 60 years old
  
  
• Have just one degenerating disc
  
  
• Do not have a systemic bone disease, such as osteoporosis
  
  
• Have tried other nonsurgical treatments without success

So far, studies indicate that patients who have this surgery recover more quickly and have fewer complications than patients who have more traditional forms of surgery. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an artificial disc to treat degenerative disc disease. Other prostheses are being developed, including some that replace only a disc’s core (nucleus pulposus).

Five years after performing the first transplants of intervertebral discs from humans, Chinese surgeons in 2007 reported long-term success in relieving chronic back pain due to disc degeneration. However, it may take many more years of research before such transplants are approved in the United States.

Other areas of research include tissue engineering and regeneration.