9 in 10 say their pain is much better
Measured before surgery and again at each check-up — not from a satisfaction survey alone.
PAIN RELIEF · OWN PATIENTS · 5–17 YRS
Outcomes
Does it work? Seventeen years later, yes.
Results from more than 10,000 disc replacements, with some patients followed for over 17 years. Shown honestly — including the complications.
The headlines
What happens to most people
Each figure below means “out of every 10 patients like you”. Dark figures are the ones with that result.
9 in 10 are back at work
Desk work within weeks, physical jobs within months. The 1 in 10 usually retrained or retired.
RETURN TO WORK · OWN PATIENTS
8 in 10 still move well after 17 years
The treated level still bends on X-ray. A fusion, by definition, would be 0 in 10.
MOVEMENT KEPT · 17+ YR FOLLOW-UP
Patient stories
Real people, years later
Filter by where they were treated. Every story is a real patient; names are shortened.
Interventional cardiologist, USA
Two-level lumbar ADR after two failed discectomies · Two ProDisc implants, L4–L5 and L5–S1.
Pain free four years on. Hiked Machu Picchu and Everest Base Camp; travelled to 40 countries since.
4 YRS FOLLOW-UP
Joe & Pat
Multi-level lumbar ADR, referred by Yale · Lumbar ADR, L2–L5.
Not a single day of running or training missed since discharge. No pain, no complications.
17 YRS FOLLOW-UP
Peter B., New York
Cervical ADR, composer · Cervical disc replacement.
Not one episode of pain since. Skis a month a year, swims daily, lifts weights — and keeps composing.
13 YRS FOLLOW-UP
Interventional cardiologist
Fellow physician, arrived in a wheelchair · Lumbar disc replacement.
Went to Germany in a wheelchair and returned home walking on both feet.
13 YRS FOLLOW-UP
Minnesota patient
3-level cervical + 4-level lumbar ADR · Seven ProDisc implants, neck and lower back.
Heavy work, strict-form weight-lifting and an active household routine — going strong.
3 YRS FOLLOW-UP
Concert pianist
Three-level ADR · Three-level disc replacement.
Played a full concert without pain or numbness three weeks after surgery.
POST-OP
J., tennis player
4-level cervical ADR, C3–C7 · Four-level cervical disc replacement.
Back playing doubles at the club's most advanced level within ten months.
10 MO FOLLOW-UP
Doug D., MLB
19-year Major League career, five lumbar levels · Five-level lumbar disc replacement.
No pain — playing 18 holes of golf. Gets out of bed and just walks.
11 MO FOLLOW-UP
Diane G.
Lumbar ADR, operated 2003 in Vienna · Lumbar disc replacement.
Fourteen years later, enjoying a pain free life — grateful every single day.
14 YRS FOLLOW-UP
Dr. Samantha F.
Dancer, fusion contraindicated, L3–S1 · Three-level lumbar ADR.
Can sit, drive, travel, walk and stand again — and bow after performances. Quality of life 100% better.
6 MO FOLLOW-UP
W.R., Texas
Horse fall, four herniated neck discs, prior US surgeries failed · 4-level cervical ADR with C6/7 revision.
Standing and having tea two days after surgery. Still 100% pain free, active outdoors.
2 YRS FOLLOW-UP
Paul & Marlene, Canada
Two-level ADR with DSS stabiliser instead of fusion · Two-level lumbar ADR, L4–L5.
Pre-surgery pain gone; minimal surgical pain only. Looking forward to near-complete mobility.
POST-OP
Showing 12 of 12. Names shortened for privacy; every story is a real patient review shared from Prof. Dr. Bertagnoli's practice.
Could you be one of these stories?
Send your MRI and a few lines about how you feel. We will look at it and tell you plainly what we see — including when surgery isn't the answer.
Free · No obligation · Reviewed by the ProSpine team