title: Comparative analysis of cervical arthroplasty using mobi-c(r) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using the solis(r) -cage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the standard treatment for degenerative cervical disc disease, concerns regarding adjacent level degeneration and loss of motion have suggested that arthroplasty may be a better alternative. We have compared clinical and radiological results in patients with cervical disc herniations treated with arthroplasty and ACDF.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 53 patients treated for cervical disc herniations with radiculopathy, 21 of whom underwent arthroplasty and 32 of whom underwent ACDF. Clinical results included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for upper extremity radiculopathy, neck disability index (NDI), duration of hospital stay and convalescence time. All patients were assessed radiologically by measuring cervical lordosis, segmental lordosis and segmental range-of-movement (ROM) of operated and adjacent disc levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean hospital stay (5.62 vs. 6.26 days, p<0.05) and interval between surgery and return to work (1.10 vs. 2.92 weeks, p<0.05) were significantly shorter in the arthroplasty than in the fusion group. Mean NDI and extremity VAS score improved after 12 months in both groups. Although it was not significant, segmental ROM of adjacent levels was higher in the fusion group than in the arthroplasty group. And, segmental motion of operated levels in arthroplasty group maintained more than preoperative value at last follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although clinical results were similar in the two groups, postoperative recovery was significantly shorter in the arthroplasty group. Although it was not significant, ROM of adjacent segments was less in the arthroplasty group. Motion of operated levels in arthroplasty group was preserved at last follow up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kwang Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Young Shin
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ra
authors.forename: Seung Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Rhim
authors.forename: Sung Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Noh