Outcomes following cervical disc arthroplasty in an active duty military population

Symptomatic cervical radiculopathy is a common problem in the active duty military population and can cause significant disability leading to limited duty status and loss of operational readiness and strength. Based on their increasing experience with cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) in this unique patient population, the authors set out to further evaluate the outcomes and complications of CDA in active duty military patients. A retrospective review of a single military tertiary medical center was performed between August 2008 and August 2012 and the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent cervical disc arthroplasty were evaluated. There were 37 active duty military patients, with a total of 41 CDA. The study found good relief of preoperative symptoms (92%) and the ability to maintain operational readiness with a high rate of return to full unrestricted duty (95%) with an average follow-up of 6 months. There was a low rate of complications related to the anterior cervical approach (5%-8%), with no device- or implant-related complications.