Mechanical Stability of the Prodisc-C Vivo Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: A Preliminary, Observational Study Using Radiostereometric Analysis.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the primary stability of the Prodisc-C Vivo cervical disc arthroplasty with regard to the adjacent cervical vertebrae using radiostereometric analysis (RSA), and to monitor its clinical performance.

METHODS

Sixteen patients with degenerative cervical disc disease were included. RSA radiographs were obtained at the first postoperative day, at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Migration (translation [mm]) of the superior and inferior implant components were measured with model-based RSA, expressed along the 3 orthogonal axes, and calculated as total translation. Clinical outcomes were Neck Disability Index, numeric rating scales for neck and arm pain, Likert-type scales for satisfaction, and adverse events. Range of motion was reported as C2-C7 flexion-extension mobility (ROM).

RESULTS

At final follow-up, no significant increase over time in median total translation was found. One inferior and 3 superior components subsided but were asymptomatic. ROM remained stable and clinical outcomes improved over time. Although 3 patients were unsatisfied and 3 adverse events occurred, this was not related to translation of the components.

CONCLUSIONS

On a group level, both components of the Prodisc-C Vivo cervical disc arthroplasty remained stable over time and below the clinical threshold of 1 mm. Individual outliers for translation were not clinically relevant and probably related to settling of the components into the vertebral endplates. RSA allowed us to perform a preliminary but accurate study on the micromotion of a new cervical disc replacement in a small sample size, without putting large numbers of patients at risk.