Cervical disc replacement- a step ahead
Dr. R. S. Chahal, Dr. Shankar Acharya, Dr. K. L. Kalra
Although ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and fusion) is now an accepted gold standard for treating cervical spondylotic myeloradiculopathy due to cervical disc prolapse, however Spinal fusion has well known potential disadvantages, including:
Hypothesis that reconstruction of this degenerated disc with a functional prosthesis rather fusion can alleviate this problem is gaining ground.
Indication For Cervical Disc replacement
Contraindication For Cervical Disc replacement
When 40 year Old Kiran present to us in Spine OPD with severe arm pain she was evaluated with X-ray and MRI which showed C6-7 disc prolapse, She was put on conservative treated in form of analgesic and physiotherapy with which she had mild relief but radicular pain was quite disabling, She was offered surgery for which she consented, we reviewed the case and decided to do a artificial disc replacement in her based on the facts that:
MRI showing C5-6 disc
CT Scan showing reduced C5-6 Disc space and normal facetal alignment at C5-6
Procedure
Anterior approach- complete disectomy
End plate preparation
Measuring the disc size
Disc prosthesis in place
Post Op X-rays
Post Op: Day 1 clinical pictures