Kinematic analysis of the cervical spine following implantation of an artificial cervical disc.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the biomechanical profile of the cervical spine following cervical arthroplasty.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Spinal arthroplasty offers the promise of maintaining functional spinal motion, thereby potentially avoiding adjacent segment disease. Disc replacement may become the next gold standard for the treatment of degenerative cervical spine disease, and must be studied rigorously to ensure in vivo efficacy and safety.

METHODS

A total of 20 patients underwent single or 2-level implantation of the Bryan artificial cervical disc (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis TN) for treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease producing radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. Lateral neutral, flexion, and extension cervical radiographs were obtained before surgery and at intervals up to 24 months after surgery. Kinematic parameters, including sagittal rotation, horizontal translation, change in disc height, and center of rotation (COR), were assessed for each spinal level using quantitative motion analysis software.

RESULTS

Motion was preserved in the operated spinal segments (mean range of motion 7.8 degrees) up to 24 months following surgery. The relative contribution of each spinal segment to overall spinal sagittal rotation differed depending on whether the disc was placed at C5-C6 or C6-C7. Overall cervical motion (C2-C7) was moderately but significantly increased during late follow-up. Sagittal rotation, anterior and posterior disc height, translation, and COR coordinates did not change significantly following surgery. The COR was most frequently located posterior and inferior to the center of the disc space.

CONCLUSIONS

The Bryan artificial cervical disc provided in vivo functional spinal motion at the operated level, reproducing the preoperative kinematics of the spondylotic disc.