Clinical and radiographic reports following cervical arthroplasty: a 24-month follow-up

We reviewed patients with cervical disc prosthesis replacement for single-level cervical disc disease to evaluate its clinical effect and maintenance of cervical spine motion. Fifteen patients underwent Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement and were followed-up for at least 24 months. No neurological or vascular complications were observed during or after operation. JOA, VAS, and NDI scores showed statistical significant improvement in our follow-up. The procedure achieved an 87% (13/15) satisfactory rate at 24-month evaluations according to Odom's criteria. The range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine, treated segment, adjacent segment, and functional spinal unit (FSU) decreased at early follow-up, but they recovered to the preoperative level at 12- and 24-month follow-up. Also, preoperative lordosis of the cervical spine and FSU were not only maintained but also even improved during the 24-month follow-up. No obvious degeneration of adjacent discs were found at MRI. There were no cases of prosthesis subsidence or extrusion. The cervical disc prosthesis showed a good clinical outcome; it also restored ROM of the cervical spine and reestablished cervical curvature in our 24-month follow-up. But to be sure of its long term effect, a longer follow-up is needed.