Proudly Serving: LA & Orange County
A damaged disc can limit motion, cause pain in the arms or legs, and make surgery feel like the only option. Dr. Verma evaluates disc replacement candidates through detailed exams and advanced imaging.
He recommends artificial disc replacement only when it best preserves motion and fits your anatomy, symptoms, and goals.
Years of Orthopedic Experience
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Star Patient Rating Across 300+ Reviews
Candidate evaluation grounded in imaging and symptom mapping
Motion-preserving alternative to spinal fusion
FDA-approved artificial disc technology
Artificial disc replacement, or ADR, removes a damaged spinal disc and replaces it with an implant designed to preserve natural motion at that level.
The implant sits between two vertebrae and mimics the movement of a healthy disc during bending, rotation, and daily activity.
Disc replacement is performed in the cervical spine (neck) or lumbar spine (lower back). It is most often considered when conservative care has not relieved symptoms and spinal fusion would otherwise be the alternative.
Dr. Verma confirms the disc is the source of symptoms before recommending replacement.
Conditions he treats include:
Not every patient with disc pain qualifies for artificial disc replacement. Dr. Verma reviews your symptoms, exam findings, and imaging to confirm the disc is the source of pain and that the surrounding anatomy can support an implant.
Imaging studies may include X-rays, MRI, and CT scans. Additional testing may include flexion-extension views and nerve conduction studies when symptoms suggest nerve involvement.
He reviews each finding with you and explains why disc replacement, fusion, or continued conservative care is the right next step for your case.
Each patient experiences disc pain differently. Dr. Verma begins with conservative treatment and advances to disc replacement when symptoms persist, worsen, or limit daily function.
Conservative care may include physical therapy focused on spine mechanics, activity modification, and positions that calm nerve irritation.
When conservative options do not relieve symptoms, Dr. Verma performs minimally invasive disc replacement using real-time imaging and computer-assisted navigation for surgical accuracy.
Herniated disc symptoms may present as:
Ongoing lumbar pain that does not settle with conservative care.
Persistent cervical pain that limits rotation and daily comfort.
Pain that travels into the shoulder, arm, or hand from a cervical disc.
Pain that radiates into the buttock, thigh, or calf from a lumbar disc.
Reduced strength in the arm or leg on the affected side.
Decreased sensation in the hand, foot, or limb.
Pins and needles in the extremities.
Stiffness that limits bending, turning, or lifting.
Symptoms that persist despite therapy, injections, and time.
Schedule an evaluation with an Orange County disc replacement surgeon when disc pain persists despite physical therapy, injections, or home care.
If symptoms last longer than six weeks, radiate into a limb, or interfere with sleep and work, a disc replacement specialist can confirm the diagnosis and determine whether motion-preserving surgery is appropriate.
Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with advanced fellowship training and extensive research publication history.
Specialized training in complex spinal deformity correction for children and adults.
Real-time CT guidance and computer-assisted navigation support precise surgical work.
Dr. Verma reviews imaging with patients and explains each finding during the consultation.
Treatment is available for patients ages four and older, including children and teens.
Candidacy depends on the disc level involved, the condition of surrounding vertebrae, your overall spine health, and whether symptoms come from the disc itself. Dr. Verma reviews your imaging and exam findings to determine whether disc replacement is appropriate for your case.
Fusion joins two vertebrae together and eliminates motion at that level. Disc replacement removes the damaged disc and places an artificial disc that preserves motion. Preserved motion can reduce stress on the discs above and below the treated level.
Yes. Dr. Verma evaluates patients for both cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) artificial disc replacement and selects the approach that fits each patient’s diagnosis and anatomy.
Recovery varies by patient and procedure. Many patients return to light daily activity within the first few weeks, with a gradual return to full activity over the following months. Dr. Verma reviews your expected recovery timeline before surgery.
Verma treats recurrent disc symptoms and complications from earlier procedures with revision spine surgery, and evaluates whether disc replacement is an option in select cases.
If you’re looking for an Orange County disc replacement surgeon, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Kushagra Verma at Advanced Spine Care.
He diagnoses disc conditions with careful testing, treats them with conservative care first, and performs motion-preserving disc replacement when it fits your diagnosis and goals.
