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The current status of lumbar total disc replacement
Russel C Huang1, Harvinder S Sandhu
1Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, University Hospitals of Cleveland-Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, BHC 5128, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. russelhuang@yahoo.com
The Orthopedic Clinics of North America
|April 6, 2004
Summary
Total disc replacement (TDR) shows promise for degenerative disc disease (DDD), but requires more research. Long-term durability and patient selection are key challenges for this experimental procedure.
Area of Science:
- Spine surgery
- Orthopedic technology
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) treatment
Background:
- Total disc replacement (TDR) is an emerging alternative to spinal fusion for DDD.
- Current TDR procedures are considered experimental in the United States.
- Short- and mid-term outcomes for TDR are promising.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of TDR as a gold standard treatment for DDD.
- To identify the need for further research on TDR efficacy and safety.
- To define the role of TDR in spine surgery.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on TDR.
- Analysis of short- and mid-term results.
- Assessment of complication rates and long-term challenges.
Main Results:
- Short-term complication rates for TDR are acceptably low.
- Longer follow-up studies and randomized trials are necessary.
- Durability of TDR implants and vertebral endplates present future challenges.
Conclusions:
- TDR may potentially replace fusion for DDD in the future.
- Further randomized trials comparing TDR to fusion and conservative treatments are needed.
- Careful patient selection is crucial for successful TDR outcomes; indiscriminate use may lead to poor results.