One of the more controversial recent additions to the field of spine surgery has been the introduction of mechanical artificial lumbar disc replacements. Dr. Bellabarba provides a comprehensive review of the current state of literature results on this subject. Drs. Chapman and Chesnut then present an outlook on future non-mechanical approaches in spine surgery, largely drawing from overseas experiences due to federal restrictions in introducing these devices in the United States. From the Series:Symposium on Low Back Pain