Dynamic cervical stabilization: a multicenter study.
OBJECTIVE
The dynamic cervical implant (DCI) is a novel motion-preserving concept for the treatment of degenerative cervical disorders. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to validate the concept and analyse clinical and radiological performance of the implant.


METHODS
One hundred seventy-five consecutive patients with degenerative cervical disorders, median age, 47 years, were treated with discectomy and DCI, and followed for 2 years. Clinical outcome was evaluated with the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the SF-12, and visual analogue scale (VAS) assessment of arm and neck pain. Range of motion (ROM) and cervical alignment were analysed using radiographic imaging.


RESULTS
All clinical outcome measures--VAS neck and arm pain, NDI, and SF-12 mental and physical component summaries--improved significantly after surgery (each p < 0.001) and remained stable over the whole observation period. The ROM (flexion/extension) at the level treated with DCI was slightly reduced, but no significant changes could be verified at the adjacent levels. Six surgery or device-related adverse events were documented during the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Good clinical and excellent radiological outcomes demonstrate that DCI is a safe and efficient treatment option in patients with degenerative cervical disorders.
National Neurosurgical Department, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, 25 Rue de La Gare, Mamer, 8229, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. matge@internet.lu.
Guy
G
Matgé
Spine Unit and Center of Pain Management, St. Vinzenz Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Peter
P
Buddenberg
Department of Neurosurgery, Municipal Clinic of Görlitz, Görlitz, Germany.
Marcus
M
Eif
Department of Neurosurgery, Municipal Clinic of Görlitz, Görlitz, Germany.
Holger
H
Schenke
Spine Unit and Center of Pain Management, St. Vinzenz Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Joerg
J
Herdmann
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
Adjacent level protection; Cervical arthropathy; Cervical arthroplasty; Dynamic cervical implant; Shock absorption