Observation of early results after single-level semi-constrained Activ-C cervical disc arthroplasty

LI Hong-ke; ZHANG Chang-jiang; WANG Ming-jun; YANG Xian-yu; LI Lai-hao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-252X.2014.12.012

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the early clinical results of semi-constrained Activ-C cervical disc arthroplasty for single-level cervical spondylosis. Methods From July 2009 to September 2012, 28 patients with single-level cervical spondylosis underwent Activ-C cervical disc arthroplasty and were followed up. There were 18 males and 10 females, whose mean age was 45.2 years old ( range: 32-62 years ). The Japanese Orthopedic Association ( JOA ) scores, Neck Disability Index ( NDI ) and Visual Analogue Scale ( VAS ) were used to evaluate the postoperative improvement of symptoms, compare the preoperative and postoperative cervical curvature and segmental range of motion ( ROM ) and record the operative complications. Results The mean follow-up period was 17.8 months ( range:12-36 months ). The mean JOA score was improved from ( 8.5±2.5 ) points to ( 14.8±1.5 ) points, and the mean NDI score was decreased from ( 24.8±6.9 ) points to ( 7.3±4.8 ) points. The mean VAS scores of neck and arm pain were ( 6.8±1.3 ) points and ( 7.4±1.2 ) points respectively before the operation, which were decreased to ( 1.2±0.4 ) points and ( 1.1±0.4 ) points respectively in the latest follow-up. Significant differences existed between the preoperative and postoperative scores mentioned above ( P<0.05 ). The mean segmental ROM was increased from ( 9.6±4.3 ) ° preoperatively to ( 10.8±3.5 ) ° in the latest follow-up, and the differences between them were not statistically signiifcant ( P>0.05 ). The preoperative cervical Cobb angle was ( 12.9±10.5 ) °, which was increased to ( 15.4±9.1 ) ° in the latest follow-up, with no statistically signiifcant differences ( P>0.05 ). Conclusions Early clinical results of single-level semi-constrained Activ-C cervical disc arthroplasty are satisfactory, with the clinical symptoms improved and the cervical curvature and ROM preserved in the patients with cervical spondylosis.