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Severe Lower Back Pain and Chronic Sciatica?

Return to an Active, Pain Free Life with SpinePro

SpinePro, in partnership with CCV Montpellier, provides Prodisc® L total lumbar disc replacement to permanently relieve symptoms of degenerative disc disease, such as severe lower back pain and chronic sciatica, in a single procedure.

CCV Montpellier invented Prodisc® L 35 years ago and pioneered the treatment. They are the global gold standard, carrying out more than 800 Prodisc® L procedures every year.

If you have a recent lumbar MRI scan, apply for your free surgical assessment to find out how we can safely return you to an active, pain-free life.

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800+ procedures per year

91.8% would have surgery again

Back to work & pain free in a month

3d render showing a Prodisc® L lumbar total disc replacement in place between two vertebrae in the lumbar spine

What Is Prodisc® L Disc Replacement and Who Is It For?

Total lumbar disc replacement permanently relieves symptoms such as severe lower back pain and chronic sciatica caused by a herniated or degenerated disc by removing the damaged disc and safely replacing it with an artificial one. Unlike spinal fusion, total lumbar disc replacement restores natural mobility rather than permanently immobilising it.

The procedure is undertaken through a small abdominal incision avoiding spinal nerves, resulting in minimal risk of nerve damage or complications.

  • Treats the root cause of your pain to permanently relieve symptoms in a single procedure
  • Is the lowest risk procedure with minimal complications and shortest recovery time
  • Restores spinal mobility, allowing a full return to strenuous activities and sports
  • Treatment is typically available within 8 weeks for suitable candidates
  • CCV Montpellier is the global gold standard for the procedure, undertaking more than 800 Prodisc® L procedures every year, considerably more than any other clinic.

Who Is a Candidate?

Disc replacement may be right for you if:

  • Constant pain from your lower back or chronic sciatica severely restricts your movement
  • Symptoms severely impact your quality of life as you are no longer able to undertake routine daily activities
  • Physical therapies and medication no longer provide lasting relief
  • Your MRI shows one or more severely herniated discs or degenerative disc disease in your lumbar spine
  • You want to restore spinal mobility, stay active and return to a pain-free life
Jon

Jon

Master Carpenter and Triathlete

“I haven’t had a single pain from my back, leg, or foot since the operation. I never give my back a second thought. I’m able to work and train without limitation.”

Jon lived with progressive lumbar back pain for over a decade. In 2023, chronic sciatica from a severely herniated disc left him immobilised and in significant pain – unable to work, let alone train.

After a lengthy wait, he was offered spinal fusion but it was far from certain if he would be mobile enough afterwards to return to work or sport. Months of recovery and prolonged absence from work were also not an option.

He found SpinePro and had a Prodisc® L disc replacement at CCV Montpellier. After three months, Jon was back at work and completely pain-free. Nine months later saw him training as before.

Sonia

Sonia

Film Editor and Endurance Runner

“Well, I never felt better. I got completely repaired. No pain at all whatsoever. Thank you to Dr Grégory Edgard-Rosa.”

Sonia spent four years managing worsening leg and back pain with physical therapies, medications, and injections, but nothing worked. She realised she needed a surgical solution as her body was incapable of healing on its own, and permanent disability seemed to be only months away.

Late 2018, Sonia underwent a Prodisc® L total lumbar disc replacement procedure at CCV Montpellier. Soon after, the pain was gone and she returned to an active, pain-free life and the sports she loves.

A year later, she completed the Marathon des Sables in Peru, and she has since finished the Ultra Marin – a 175km race.

Find Out If Prodisc® L Total Lumbar Disc Replacement Is Right for You

If you have a recent lumbar MRI, our surgeons can review your case and advise whether you’re a candidate for treatment, at no cost. Treatment is typically available within 8 weeks for suitable candidates, subject to a successful surgical assessment.

Surgical Assessment

The History of Prodisc® L

Prodisc® L was pioneered at CCV Montpellier, making it the most experienced centre in the world for Prodisc® L total lumbar disc replacement surgery.
1990

1st Prodisc® L at the CCV in Montpellier

2006

FDA approval

After wider adoption in Europe, Prodisc® L received FDA approval in 2006 and became established internationally.

2025

CCV Montpellier has more than 35 years of experience with lumbar disc replacement, with patients from the early 90s still being monitored.

The outcome of disc surgery depends on the surgeon’s experience with the specific procedure being performed, and this is especially true for total lumbar disc replacement, which uses an anterior approach, and requires precise implant positioning around the aorta.

CCV Montpellier, SpinePro’s surgical partner, performs over 800 Prodisc® L total lumbar disc replacement procedures every year, more than any other centre worldwide. The surgical team performs the procedure routinely, with proven protocols for patient selection, operative technique, and post-operative recovery.

Constantly in pain?

Suffering from chronic sciatica or severe lower back pain and have an MRI scan? Submit your surgical assessment to see if Prodisc® L disc replacement surgery is right for you.

Surgical Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Prodisc® L total lumbar disc replacement?

Prodisc® L is the best treatment for herniated discs caused by degenerative disc disease.

It is the only treatment proven to:

  • Permanently relieve symptoms such as chronic sciatica and severe lower back pain in a single procedure
  • Treat the root cause of your pain by safely replacing your degenerated natural disc(s) with an artificial disc with a lifespan in excess of 40 years
  • Restore spinal mobility, allowing a full return to strenuous activities and sports
  • Provide a swift recovery and a fast return to work
  • Not cause problems in other parts of the spine in later life
Why travel to France for Prodisc® L lumbar disc replacement?

CCV Montpellier is the global gold standard for the procedure, undertaking more than 800 Prodisc® L procedures every year, considerably more than any other clinic.

CCV Montpellier invented Prodisc® L, and their surgeons have performed the procedure for over 35 years – longer than anyone else in the world.

Their published outcomes, including a 0.67% revision rate across more than 1,000 patients followed for up to 21 years, provide strong evidence that Prodisc® L total lumbar disc replacement is the best treatment for herniated discs caused by degenerative disc disease.

SpinePro arranges and manages everything, so treatment in France is better and no more complex than treatments available closer to home.

How long do I have to wait for treatment?

Treatment is typically available within 8 weeks for suitable candidates, subject to a successful surgical assessment.

How long does a Prodisc® L lumbar disc implant last?

Patients who received the first Prodisc® L implants at CCV in 1990 are still being monitored, and none has required a replacement implant. The expected lifespan is considered to be at least 40 years.

How much does Prodisc® L lumbar disc replacement cost?

Treatment at CCV through SpinePro starts from £36,000, inclusive of surgery, hospital stay, hotel recuperation in Montpellier, personalised nursing care on your return home and all travel expenses.

SpinePro is currently only able to assist patients who are self-funding; we are not able to work with health insurance providers at this time.

Why is the surgery performed through the abdomen rather than the back?

Intervertebral discs sit at the front of the spinal column, while the spinal nerves run through the spinal canal at the back. By approaching from the front, the surgeon can remove the damaged disc and place a Prodisc® L implant without the need to disturb spinal nerves, which is why the risk of nerve damage from this procedure is very low.

How long will I be off work after lumbar disc replacement?

The procedure is minimally invasive providing a rapid recovery and fast return to work.

The minimum time off work is typically two weeks, though this depends significantly on the nature of your job. Desk-based workers often return within two to four weeks; those in physically demanding roles may need longer. Your surgeon will advise based on your individual recovery progress.

Is lumbar disc replacement safer than spinal fusion?

Neither procedure is risk-free, but Prodisc® L total lumbar disc replacement carries a significantly lower risk than spinal fusion based on a number of factors. Please see our page comparing treatments for more details.

Revision surgery to correct a Prodisc® L procedure undertaken by CCV Montpellier is extremely rare. Complications are less than 1 in 100. The most common complication is haematoma (blood clotting) around the incision which is easily resolved.

Can I have disc replacement if I've already had a discectomy?

In many cases, yes. CCV’s published data shows that patients with prior disc surgery achieve equivalent long-term outcomes to those having disc replacement as their first procedure. Submit your MRI via our surgical assessment service and our surgeons will advise whether you’re a candidate.

Can Prodisc® L disc replacement be done at more than one level?

Yes, up to four levels can be treated in a single procedure. CCV routinely performs two-level disc replacement, and their published outcomes show equivalent results to single-level procedures.

Will I need to have surgery again in the future?

Prodisc® L total disc replacement is designed to fully restore spinal mobility and permanently relieve symptoms in a single procedure by safely replacing the degenerated disc with an artificial one.

Fewer than 1 in 150 patients required further surgery, even after two decades, according to a 2024 study tracking over a thousand CCV patients for up to 21 years – the largest and longest single-centre follow-up ever published for total lumbar disc replacement.