title: The future of spinal arthroplasty: a biomaterial perspective.
abstract: Both total hip and knee arthroplasty have demonstrated outstanding clinical results. The functional spinal unit composed of the intervertebral disc and facet joints is at least as complex. The intricacies of the coupled motions of the functional spinal unit have made development of an artificial disc a challenge. There have been several failed attempts to create a disc replacement that recapitulates normal motion while providing significant longevity and a low incidence of complications. Better understanding of the biomechanics of the intervertebral disc complex and improvements in implant material have made successful intervertebral disc replacement a likely reality, now that several artificial discs have completed Food and Drug Administration clinical trials. In this manuscript the authors detail the biomaterials used in disc arthroplasty and discuss joint wear and the host response to wear debris.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oskouian
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whitehill
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samii
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Shaffrey
authors.forename: J Patrick
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Christopher I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Shaffrey
mesh_terms: D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials