Return to Sports After Cervical Total Disc Replacement

Area of Science:

• Spine surgery
• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomechanical engineering

Background:

• Cervical total disc replacement (TDR) is a common procedure for young patients with cervical soft disc herniation.
• Limited data exists on the post-TDR activity levels, especially for young, active individuals.
• The expectation is that TDR should not restrict patients from engaging in high levels of physical activity and sports.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the activity levels and return to sports after cervical TDR in a cohort of patients, with a focus on young and athletic individuals.
• To assess the impact of cervical TDR on neck disability, pain, and athletic participation.

Main Methods:

• A prospective case series of 50 patients undergoing monosegmental cervical TDR for soft disc herniation with radiculopathy.
• Preoperative and follow-up evaluations included clinical status, radiographic parameters, Neck Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale for pain, and athletic questionnaires.
• A modified Tegner activity score was used to quantify activity levels before and after surgery.

Main Results:

• Fifty patients (average age 40) with a mean follow-up of 53 months were analyzed.
• Patients included professional athletes, semiprofessionals, hobby athletes, and those with low activity levels.
• Median time to return to sport was 4 weeks; all professional, semiprofessional, and hobby athletes resumed their previous activities without restriction. The modified Tegner score showed no significant difference postoperatively (3.5) compared to preoperatively (4).

Conclusions:

• Cervical total disc replacement (TDR) does not impede patients from participating in sporting activities.
• Patients can successfully return to their previous level of athletic engagement following cervical TDR.