Retrospective study on effectiveness of Activ L total disc replacement

Area of Science:

• Spine surgery
• Orthopedic biomechanics
• Degenerative disc disease

Background:

• Lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) effectiveness for sagittal alignment is documented.
• Limited data exists on Activ L TDR and its effect on clinical outcomes related to sagittal alignment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of Activ L TDR on sagittal alignment.
• To determine if sagittal alignment changes affect clinical outcomes after lumbar TDR.

Main Methods:

• Eighty-seven patients underwent Activ L lumbar TDR.
• Radiographic parameters (LL, IL, PI, PT, SL, SS) were measured pre- and post-operatively (1 month, 1, 3 years).
• Clinical outcomes assessed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Main Results:

• Lumbar lordosis (LL) significantly increased by 3 years post-surgery.
• Index level lordosis (IL) and L-5 segmental lordosis (SL) significantly increased.
• Pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS) remained stable.
• Significant improvements in VAS and ODI scores were observed.

Conclusions:

• Activ L TDR positively influences sagittal alignment, enhancing IL and preserving LL and SS.
• Satisfactory clinical outcomes at 3-year follow-up were independent of sagittal alignment changes.