Dr. Donald Corenman, MD, DC (Orthopedic Spine Surgeon | Neck & Back Pain | Vail Denver Aspen Colorado | 970-479-5895), is an orthopedic spine surgeon in Vail practicing at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, CO. Dr. Corenman sees and treats patients from all over the world for their degenerative spinal conditions, as well as for injuries sustained in sports-related and traumatic accidents. He is a passionate researcher of the spine and recently launched Orthopedic Spine Surgeon | Neck & Back Pain | Vail Denver Aspen Colorado as a resource site on the spine for patients, physicians and other spine surgeons seeking additional information.
Dr. Corenman produced this video on Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement (ProDisc-C) and explains it against ACDF fusion. The cervical artificial disc replacement has been designed to allow some motion of the defective segment by replacing the damaged disc with this implant. This theoretically reduces stress on the segments above and below to prevent further degeneration of these segments. The artificial disc however has some disadvantages that need to be understood.
The ProDisc-C artificial disc mimics a portion of the behavior of a normal cervical disc. The normal cervical disc allows motion but is restrained at endpoint of motion. That is-the normal disc acts like a bushing where motion at the extreme limits is dampened by the fibers of the annulus. The artificial disc does not have this constraint and this can occasionally put more stress on the facets than the normal disc would. Also, the artificial disc does not have shock absorption capabilities like the normal disc does. This rigidity in compression can allow increased wear. The disc is made of chrome-cobalt alloy. This alloy obscures MRI images so assessment of this segment in the future can become more difficult.
The good news is that this disc that is put into place through ProDisc-C: cervical artificial disc replacement, seems to have similar results as a normal ACDF fusion does. It may stand the test of time but if it does fail, in general it is relatively easy to repair with ACDF fusion.
MRI images so assessment of this segment in the future can become more difficult.
