Clinical efficiency and motor function assessment of Prodisc-C artificial cervical disc replacement

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of artificial cervical disc replacement(ACDR) with Prodisc-C and its effects on the motor function of the replaced level and adjacent segments.Methods A total of 20 patients who received ACDR with Prodisc-C from April 2009 to February 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 9 patients with myelopathy,8 with radiculopathy,and the left 3 with both symptoms.There were 17 participators received single level replacement,and the other 3 had 2 levels replaced.All the patients received CT and MRI preoperatively for accurate diagnosis.Visual analogue scale(VAS) scores for neck and arm pain,Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA) scores for neck and cervical spine radiography were taken preoperatively and at the scheduled follow-up postoperatively.Results Thirteen participators were followed up for 6-18 months.The manifestations,including pain of the neck and shoulders,the numbness of the limbers and the weakness of muscle before the surgery,were alleviated dramatically.The VAS and JOA scores were significantly improved after the surgery(P0.01).There was significant increase in the range of motion(ROM) of the replacement segment pre-and postoperatively at 1,3 and 6 months(P0.01),and so did the results at the final follow-up(P0.05).The difference was no statistically significant in the height of intervertebral space and the ROM of the upper and lower adjacent segments before and after ACDR(P0.05).No implant migration,loosening,translocation or heterotopic ossification were found.Conclusion ACDR with Prodisc-C displays satisfactory clinical outcomes in a short-term follow-up.It improves ROM of the replaced level,and maintains the intervertebral space height and normal ROM of adjacent segments,while its long-term benefits still need further follow-up study.