Introduction: The Prodisc-C system (Synthes, USA), used in cervical artroplasty, has been revealed as valid alternative to arthrodesis. Artificial disc replacement has the aim to preserve the physiological motion segment of the cervical spine and to decrease the kinematic strain on the adjacent levels. However, to date, with existing prostheses, the risk of adjacent segment disease and heterotopic ossification have not been proven to be definitively reduced by using artificial disc replacement.
In this study we present our experience, evaluate the heterotopic ossification rate (HO), the range of motion of the segments operated, as well as the strain of the adjacent levels and the clinical outcome of patients following cervical arthroplasty over 5 years follow-up.
Methods: We included in our study 40 patients (20 male, 20 female) presenting clinical symptoms of degenerative disorders of the cervical spine-axial and radicular pain or radicular compromise and their corresponding signs on MRI-soft disc hernia or spondylosis, undergone surgery procedure. The following parameters were assessed prior to the procedure and 6 months, 12 months, 2 and 3 and 5 years post-operatively: clinical condition (NDI and SF36), axial pain and radicular pain scores (VAS) and x-ray findings.
Results: Five years following the surgical procedure, significant improvement in NDI, cervical and radicular pain were assessed. HO was detected in 30% of the segments operated and a complete loss of the arthroplasty mobility in 5% of the cases.
Conclusions: The Prodisc-C system seems to favor a prompt improvement of the clinical and neurological symptoms. Although, in our experience, the system preserved the motion segment, further studies with longer follow-up are necessary in order to assess the long term efficacy of this system and its advantage with respect to arthrodesis.
Patient Care: Our data add new features about arthroplasty achieved by Prodisc-C system. The results obtained seems to favor a prompt improvement of the clinical and neurological symptoms by such a technique.
Learning Objectives: "By the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to: 1)Discuss about artroplasty; 2) Learn about the efficacy of Prodisc-C system; 3)Understand the role of arthroplasty vs arthrodesis".