J&J Discs Face Backlash

Normally, Charles Rosen embraces scientific advances in back surgery. But the university-based spine surgeon can't imagine using one now being promoted by Johnson & Johnson (JNJ Quote).

The company's Charite artificial discs last year became the first to hit the American market, offering a long-awaited alternative to complex spinal fusion surgery. Rosen, recently filmed by PBS performing another new procedure, likes to provide his patients with cutting-edge services.

So he set out to learn about the treatment. Specifically, he wanted to know if the discs could safely reduce chronic back pain while, unlike typical surgery, preserving motion. Charite backers say the new discs do just that and therefore offer the "potential to revolutionize spine surgery." ...