A new study published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques examines surgery for cervical disc degeneration with a new zero-profile implant.
The study authors examined evidence from 52 consecutive patients who underwent surgery with the new implant at 106 levels. The researchers found:
1. There was a statistically significant difference in perioperative neck and arm visual analog pain scores. The patients were followed for 12 months.
2. The preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association scores and ASIA motor scores were significantly lower before surgery than after surgery. The patients reported the difference through the last follow-up.
3. The dysphasia occurrence rate was 11.5 percent, significantly lower than reported in the previous literature.
4. The anterior disc height increased from around 5.1 to 9.1 from preoperative to postoperative visits. The interbody height of targeting segments jumped from 31.9 preoperatively to 36.7 postoperatively.
5. There was a firm fusion for all patients.
"Our study has demonstrated that this new implant is able to restore and maintain physiological lordosis and segment height of the cervical spine postoperatively," concluded the study authors.