title: Return to Sports After Cervical Total Disc Replacement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Total disc replacement (TDR) is typically indicated in young patients with a cervical soft disc herniation. There are few data on the activity level of patients after cervical TDR, in particular from young patients who are expected to have a high activity level with frequent exercising. The expectation is that returning to active sports after cervical TDR is not restricted.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients were treated with a monosegmental cervical TDR at our department between May 2006 and March 2012. Clinical status and radiographic parameters were evaluated preoperatively and during follow-up. In addition, information was gathered regarding neck disability index, pain, a questionnaire concerning athletic aspects, and a modified Tegner activity score. The study design was a prospective case series.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were treated with the Prestige artificial cervical disc for a single-level soft disc herniation with radiculopathy. The average age was 40 years, and the mean follow-up period was 53 months (range, 26-96). The median neck disability index during follow-up was 5, and median visual analog scale for pain was 2. Two professional athletes, 20 semiprofessionals, 24 hobby athletes, and 5 patients with a very low activity level were treated. The median time to resumption of sporting activity was 4 weeks after surgery. All professionals and semiprofessionals recovered to their previous activity level. All of the 20 hobby athletes recovered to resume their sport participation. The modified Tegner preoperative score was 4 and the postoperative score was 3.5 (P = 0.806).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that cervical TDR did not prohibit sporting activities. All patients recovered and were able to take part in their previous activities at an appropriate intensity level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: anreinke@gmx.de.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reinke
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behr
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Preuss
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Villard
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ringel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D000068958:Return to Sport / Q000639:trends*; D013177:Sports / Q000639:trends*; D059145:Total Disc Replacement / Q000639:trends*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Activity level; Cervical arthroplasty; Disc degeneration; Sports; Total disc replacement