Patient FAQ

What are the possible complications of Prodisc-L surgery?

As with any surgery, there are some possible complications that can occur when you have total disc replacement surgery with the Prodisc-L implant. Complications can occur singly or in combination and may include:

–	Allergic reaction to the implant materials
–	Bladder problems
–	Bleeding, which may require a blood transfusion
–	Blood clot (emboli) in the bloodstream or lungs
–	Death
–	Difficulty with bowel movement or other problems with your bowels
–	Failure of device/procedure to improve your symptoms and/or ability to function
–	Failure of incision to heal properly or other incision problems
–	Fracture of the vertebrae
–	Fusion
–	Implant failure (e.g., implants that bend, break, loosen or move)
–	Impotence or retrograde ejaculation
–	Infection
–	Injury to internal structures such as your kidney, ureter, bowel, blood vessels, or lymphatic vessels
–	Need for additional surgery which could include removal of the Prodisc-L implant
–	Pain or discomfort
–	Paralysis
–	Phlebitis (swelling of veins)
–	Pneumonia
–	Problems with your blood vessels other than bleeding
–	Seizures
–	Side effects from anesthesia
–	Spinal cord or nerve damage
–	Spinal fluid leakage
–	Spinal instability
–	Tears of the dura (a layer of tissue covering the spinal cord)
–	Wear debris (load-bearing implants that allow motion have been shown to potentially generate wear debris over time.  Early and/or long-term effects of wear debris in the human spine are not yet known)

Warning: Overloading of the spine by engaging in extreme activities (i.e., heavyweight lifting) may result in failure of the prosthesis.