S. Michael T. Tooke, MD
Spinal Disc Replacement Surgeon

Disc Replacement Surgery  -  Dr. Tooke To Be First In Greensboro With New Cutting Edge Technology

Dr. Michael Tooke traveled to Montpellier, France in June where he visited with Dr. Thierry Marnay, the French orthopaedic  surgeon who developed the ProDisc lumbar disc replacement technology. Dr. Tooke’s desire to understand the technology to its fullest extent was the driving force for his undertaking this trip at his own expense.

Additionally, Dr. Tooke completed a vigorous training program in August allowing him to be the first surgeon trained in the implementation of this cutting edge technology in Greensboro.

The ProDisc-L total disc replacement has been determined to be safe and effective in the treatment of degenerative disc disease (DDD) at one level from L3-S1 by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States government after rigorous clinical trials.  It is not considered to be an experimental device.  During the total disc replacement procedure, the diseased intervertebral disc is removed and replaced with a motion preserving ProDisc-L implant.

The ProDisc-L total disc replacement surgery is intended to:

• Remove the diseased disc
• Restore normal disc height
• Significantly reduce discogenic back pain
• Preserve motion in the affected vertebral segment

• Improve patient function

The ProDisc-L implant design is based on a ball and socket principle, comprised of only two moving components. The ProDisc –L is available in a variety of sizes to allow Dr. Tooke to accurately match the patient’s natural anatomical structures.

Dr. Tooke brings to this new type of joint replacement an extensive background in anterior lumbar spine surgery and joint replacement surgery.  While on the UCLA faculty from 1982-1993, his primary research was related to hip and joint replacement fixation and durability.  Although he no longer performs hip replacement surgery, his extensive experience with much of the same technology used in hip replacement gives him an unique perspective and breadth of experience among surgeons in the new field of disc replacement.

In addition to lumbar disc replacement surgery, Dr. Tooke also treats adult spinal disorders including complex deformities, spinal column tumors, previously failed surgery and degenerative and traumatic problems.  New patients either physician referred or self referred may schedule appointments.

In addition to serving full time at UCLA, Dr. Tooke was a full time faculty member at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Orthopaedics, Spinal  Surgery Division from 1993-1996.  He subsequently returned to Los Angeles where he was in private practice until moving to Greensboro in December 2005.  During that time he served as Chief of Staff of Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital and as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Western Orthopaedic Association.
 
His roots are in Ontario, Canada.  He was born in Toronto, educated at Queen’s University, Kingston (Medical School and Residency), and the University of Toronto (Internship and Spinal Surgery Fellowship) and practiced there briefly before moving to Los Angeles to work at UCLA.

Read patient Gray Hucks testimonial about his experience with disc replacement