[Our experience with the use of Active-C cervical prosthesis]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Spinal Surgery
• Biomaterials and Artificial Joints

Background:

• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion has been the standard for cervical spine disc hernias.
• Cervical disc prostheses aim to preserve motion at operated segments, reducing stress on adjacent vertebrae.
• The Active-C prosthesis has been utilized since 2010 for motion-preserving cervical spine treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the Active-C cervical disc prosthesis in treating cervical spine disc hernias.
• To assess changes in patient complaints, prosthesis function, and adverse effects post-surgery.
• To compare outcomes of Active-C prosthesis with traditional fusion techniques.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving patients who received the Active-C prosthesis between 2010 and 2013.
• Neurological condition surveys and functional X-ray examinations were conducted.
• Patient-reported outcomes measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Cervical Spine Outcomes Questionnaire (CSQ).

Main Results:

• After 18 months, Active-C group showed significant reduction in referred pain (8.6 to 1.84) and axial pain (6.6 to 1.92) (p<0.01).
• In the Active-C group, 7 patients reported no complaints, 12 mild, and 6 moderate based on NDI.
• In the control (fusion) group, 8 patients reported no complaints, 12 mild, and 4 moderate based on NDI. Three patients in the prosthesis group had no movement at the operated level.

Conclusions:

• Short- and medium-term results suggest the Active-C cervical disc prosthesis is an efficient procedure for cervical disc hernias.
• The long-term advantages of cervical disc prostheses require further investigation.
• Continued follow-up and studies are necessary to fully establish the benefits and risks of the Active-C prosthesis.