title: The Occupational Impact of Single-Level Cervical Disc Arthroplasty in an Active Duty Military Population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Degenerative cervical disease is a common condition affecting the general population. This process can have a detrimental effect on operational readiness and is a concern for military spine surgeons. Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is a relatively new surgical treatment for cervical disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the occupational impact of CDA used to treat single-level cervical disease in a high demand military population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series of 34 patients with prospective follow-up who had undergone single-level CDA at our institution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average follow-up was 21.4 months. Noncommissioned officer was the most common rank. C5-C6 was the most common operated level. 30/34 (88.2%) returned to active duty service. 4/34 (11.8%) went on to medical evaluation board for separation from active duty service. 28/30 (93.3%) returned to duty patients vs. 2/4 (50%) medical board patients reported relief with surgery. Average return to duty time was 8.5 weeks. All patients who returned to duty were able to maintain preoperative military occupational specialty. 8/30 (26.7%) were able to deploy postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CDA has the potential to allow return to high demand preoperative occupational activities in active duty military patients with single-level cervical disease.
authors.affiliation: William Beaumont Army Medical Center, 5005 North Piedras Street, El Paso, TX 79920.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cleveland
authors.affiliation: William Beaumont Army Medical Center, 5005 North Piedras Street, El Paso, TX 79920.
authors.forename: Josh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.affiliation: William Beaumont Army Medical Center, 5005 North Piedras Street, El Paso, TX 79920.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caram
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D062707:Return to Work; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States