Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement

Dr. Corenman produced this video on Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement (ProDisc-C) and explains it against ACDF fusion. The cervical artificial disc replacement has been designed to allow some motion of the defective segment by replacing the damaged disc with this implant. This theoretically reduces stress on the segments above and below to prevent further degeneration of these segments. The artificial disc however has some disadvantages that need to be understood.

The ProDisc-C artificial disc mimics a portion of the behavior of a normal cervical disc. The normal cervical disc allows motion but is restrained at endpoint of motion. That is-the normal disc acts like a bushing where motion at the extreme limits is dampened by the fibers of the annulus. The artificial disc does not have this constraint and this can occasionally put more stress on the facets than the normal disc would. Also, the artificial disc does not have shock absorption capabilities like the normal disc does. This rigidity in compression can allow increased wear. The disc is made of chrome-cobalt alloy. This alloy obscures MRI images so assessment of this segment in the future can become more difficult.