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September 28, 2026

Lumbar Disc Replacement in St. Johns County, FL | Dr. F. Andrew Rowan

Dr. Rowan Performs St. Johns County’s First prodisc® L Lumbar Disc Replacement

A motion-preserving surgical option is now available closer to home for appropriately selected patients with a damaged disc in the lower back.

ST. JOHNS, Fla., Sept. 22, 2026 –  F. Andrew Rowan, MD, a spine surgeon with Southeast Orthopedic Specialists (SOS), has performed the first lumbar total disc replacement in St. Johns County using Centinel Spine’s prodisc® L system. The procedure took place at Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Johns County, with exposure assistance from Alexander Rose, MD, FACS.

“Patients today want to understand all of their options, particularly when there is an opportunity to treat the source of their pain while maintaining motion in the spine,” said Dr. Rowan. “Lumbar disc replacement can be an excellent option for the right patient. Being able to offer prodisc® L here in St. Johns County means patients can now access this technology and expertise within their own community.”

What is lumbar disc replacement?

Lumbar disc replacement is a procedure that removes a damaged disc in the lower back and replaces it with an artificial disc designed to maintain movement at the treated level.

Spinal fusion is another surgical option for certain conditions. It joins two vertebrae together, stopping movement at that level. Disc replacement takes a different approach by preserving motion, but the best treatment depends on the individual patient and the cause of their symptoms.

Who may be a candidate?

Some patients with persistent lower back pain related to degenerative disc disease may be considered for lumbar disc replacement when appropriate nonsurgical treatments have not provided enough relief. Disc replacement is not suitable for everyone with back pain.

Dr. Rowan begins with conservative care when appropriate. If surgery is being considered, he evaluates a patient’s symptoms, imaging, spinal anatomy, bone quality, stability, overall health and activity goals before discussing the available options.

Explore your spine care options in St. Johns County

If you have been told you may need spinal fusion, or you want to understand whether a motion-preserving procedure could be an option, an evaluation is the next step. Dr. Rowan sees patients at SOS offices in St. Augustine, North St. Johns and Ponte Vedra Beach.

Learn more about Dr. F. Andrew Rowan and request an appointment, or call 904-634-0640. You can also explore spine care at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists.