Short-term Results of a Prospective Study Comparing Interbody Fusion and Disc Arthroplasty in Patients with Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

The total disc replacement is an alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in patients with degenerative disc disease. We report short-term results of a prospective clinical trial comparing arthroplasty with Prestige LP disc prosthesis and interbody fusion with cage in patients with 1- or 2-level cervical radiculopathy. Primary end point for this study was the composite overall success which comprises effectiveness and safety measures. Secondary end points were pain and functional scores, preservation of motion or success of fusion, adverse events and subsequent surgical interventions. A total of 96 patients were enrolled in the trial. Statistically significant superiority of the disc arthroplasty was not achieved but better improvements and less adverse events were observed up to 6 months after surgery, compared to the fusion procedure. The results support the conclusion that the Prestige LP device is at least as safe and effective as the current standard of care for patients with cervical radiculopathy.