Spinal arthroplasty

Area of Science:

• Spine surgery
• Biomedical engineering
• Orthopedic research

Background:

• Symptomatic degenerative spinal disease presents significant challenges.
• Advances in treatments have improved outcomes, but many patients still experience treatment failure.
• The development of spinal motion segment reconstruction devices has emerged as a key innovation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical development of spinal disc replacement devices.
• To examine the design principles of current artificial disc replacement technologies.
• To present preliminary clinical results of major lumbar and cervical devices.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of the evolution of spinal disc replacement.
• Analysis of device designs for nucleus pulposus replacement and total disc replacement.
• Review of published preliminary clinical data for lumbar and cervical devices.

Main Results:

• The past decade has seen the invention of devices for spinal motion segment reconstruction.
• Devices are categorized by their function: nucleus pulposus replacement or complete disc complex replacement.
• Preliminary clinical results for major lumbar and cervical devices are presented.

Conclusions:

• Artificial disc replacement represents a significant advancement in treating degenerative spinal conditions.
• Ongoing research and development continue to refine these reconstructive devices.
• These devices offer potential solutions for patients with persistent or recurrent spinal symptoms.