Disc Replacement Can Be a Superior Alternative to Cervical Spinal Fusion

Cervical spine fusions have been performed since the 1950s and have achieved good, reproducible clinical results. Anterior cervical fusion is a current standard of care for cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD), and 1-level fusions have predictable results, and are a successful procedure for surgeons and patients. However, fusion by definition eliminates the motion that normally occurs in a spinal segment and, as more levels of the spine are fused, the lack of motion created in the neck may cause additional problems for the patient. With the down classification of cervical cages by the FDA in 2007, patients and surgeons were offered more options for on label treatment of 1-level cervical disc disease. There are not as many options for on label multi-level fusion, and this has led to the need for an alternative on label treatment for patients requiring surgery at one or two levels.