Abstract
Introduction
The objective of this study was to evaluate the patients’ clinical condition after cervical arthroplasty using the Freedom Cervical Disc (AxioMed). Cervical arthroplasty is one possible treatment option for cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD), offering an alternative to cervical decompression and fusion. As opposed to first generation ball and socket artificial disc devices, the freedom prosthesis is a one-piece viscoelastic artificial disc. This design is meant to re-establish the function of the spinal segment, mimicking the biomechanics of a healthy intervertebral disc and restoring segmental lordosis.
Materials and Methods
A total of 12 patients (women: 8; men: 4; mean age: 44.5 years, range: 37-59 years) received a prosthetic disc due to CDDD between April and September 2013. Follow-up assessment took place 6 weeks and 3 months after surgery and included clinical evaluation. The patients rated their clinical condition subjectively using the VAS for neck and arm pain, the North American Spine Society patient questionnaire for cervical pain and neurology (COSS), EuroQoL-5D, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI).
Results
All clinical indices indicated a clinically significantly improved condition of the patients after surgery. Mean VAS score for neck pain decreased from 6.36 preoperatively to 1.66 cm 3 months after surgery. Similarly, VAS score for radicular pain decreased from 6.81 to 1.33 cm. As expected, VAS for health state increased from 5.0 to 7.83 cm. Mean working capacity improved up to 75% at the 6 weeks and up to 91.66% at the 3 months follow-up. Furthermore, the COSS as well as the EuroQoL-5D and NDI showed an improvement of patients’ well-being. Mean improvement of the COSS for cervical pain and cervical neurology was 1.7 points. EuroQol-5D rose from 0.64 points preoperatively to 0.86 points 3 months after the procedure. NDI decreased from 48.6 to 16.3%.
Conclusion
At this early follow-up, our data indicate that the freedom prosthesis is a good treatment option in patients with CDDD. The clinical indices markedly improved after surgery. However, further data collection, as well as statistical analyses are needed to prove our preliminary results.
O. Boss: None declared
B. Bäurle: None declared
O. Hausmann: Conflict with Axiomed Spine Corporation