L5–S1 Anatomy
L5 vertebra consists of a vertebral body in the front and an arch in the back that has 3 bony protrusions: one prominent spinous process in the middle and two transverse processes on either side.
L5 vertebra
L5-S1 intervertebral disc
S1 vertebra
L5-S1 intervertebral disc provides cushioning and shock-absorbing functions to protect L5 and S1
vertebrae during spinal movements.
L5 spinal nerve roots join with other nervesi to form bigger nerves that extend down the spine and travel down each leg.
S1 vertebra, also called the sacral base, is the wide upper end of the triangle-shaped sacrum.
Common Problems
Disc problems. A steeper inclination of the L5-S1 disc leads to a higher degree of shear stresses and increases the risk disc of injury and degeneration.
Facet joint pain. The lumbosacral joint may develop wear-and-tear arthritis (osteoarthritis) over time due to its high load-bearing function.
Spondylolysis. The L5 vertebra is susceptible to spondylolysis, which is a fracture of the pars interarticularis most commonly due to repetitive stress on the bone.
Spondylolisthesis. If the pars of L5 fractures on both sides, the vertebra may slip over S1 in a condition called spondylolisthesis.
Common Symptoms and Signs
Pain, felt as a sharp, shooting, and/or searing feeling in the buttock, thigh, leg, foot, and/or toes
Numbness in the foot and/or toes
Weakness in the leg and/or foot muscles and an inability to lift the foot off the Ground.
Preservation and “Quality of Motion” at L5-S1
Our advanced Disc Replacement Solutions now offer motion preservation and a “Quality of Motion” that is not present in other solutions.
Unlike early Disc Replacement designs advanced artificial disc replacements are designed to replicate the structure and performance of a natural disc.
Our complex solutions can provide stability when needed, and motion preservation whenever possible.
These advanced technologies include:
The BAGUERA® DISC REPLACEMENT
The BAGUERA® disc replacements
innovative design incorporates a disc nucleus designed to enable absorption of shocks and vibrations.
The prodisc Total Disc Replacement
The prodisc Total Disc Replacement (TDR) technology is proven to maintain spinal balance and motion, reduce adjacent level degeneration, and allow for a return to normal activities.
The fixed center of rotation allows physiological range of motion while providing stability to the spine and significantly reducing reoperations at the adjacent levels.
When additional stability is needed Disc Replacement can be combined with Spinal Fusion using a less invasive front approach.
An ALIF TAS-Cage is a specific type of interbody fusion cage used in Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
These ADR plus Spinal Fusion solutions are called Hybrid Surgery and should only be done by the most experienced surgeons who have significant experience with complex multi-level Disc Replacement Surgery and Spinal Fusion Surgery.
Quite often, inexperienced surgeons recommend solutions based on limited options.
You deserve better!
Our surgeons have the experience and the skills required for complex multi-level lumbar and cervical disc replacement surgeries and other advanced spine solutions.
“Advanced disc replacement implants have allowed us to achieve a success rate of 99%”