Cervical facet force analysis after disc replacement versus fusion.
BACKGROUND
Cervical total disc replacement was developed to preserve motion and reduce adjacent-level degeneration relative to fusion, yet concerns remain that total disc replacement will lead to altered facet joint loading and long-term facet joint arthrosis. This study is intended to evaluate changes in facet contact force, pressure and surface area at the treated and superior adjacent levels before and after discectomy, disc replacement, and fusion.


METHODS
Ten fresh-frozen human cadaveric cervical spines were potted from C2 to C7 with pressure sensors placed into the facet joints of C3-C4 and C4-C5 via slits in the facet capsules. Moments were applied to the specimens to produce axial rotation, lateral bending and extension. Facet contact force and pressure were measured at both levels for intact, discectomy at C4-C5, disc replacement with ProDisc-C (Synthes Spine, West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA) at C4-C5, and anterior discectomy and fusion with Cervical Spine Locking Plate (Synthes Spine, West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA) at C4-C5. Facet contact area was calculated from the force and pressure measurements. An analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences with P-values <0.05 indicating significance.


RESULTS
Facet contact force was elevated at the treated level under extension following both discectomy and disc replacement, while facet contact pressure and area were relatively unchanged. Facet contact force and area were decreased at the treated level following fusion for all three loading conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Total disc replacement preserved facet contact force for all scenarios except extension at the treated level, highlighting the importance of the anterior disco-ligamentous complex. This could promote treated-level facet joint disease.
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Vikas V
VV
Patel
University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E. 17(th) Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: Zachary.Wuthrich@UCDenver.edu.
Zachary R
ZR
Wuthrich
Colorado State University, Department of Mechanical Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Kirk C
KC
McGilvray
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Matthew C
MC
Lafleur
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Emily M
EM
Lindley
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Neurosurgery, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Derrick
D
Sun
Colorado State University, Department of Mechanical Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Christian M
CM
Puttlitz
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017586:Diskectomy; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D059145:Total Disc Replacement; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery
Cervical total disc replacement; Facet contact force; Pressure; ProDisc-C; Surface area