CERVICAL ARTIFICIAL DISC REPLACEMENT

Degenerative Disc Disease, herniated disc and radiculopathy are very common conditions affecting the neck area or cervical spine. Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine can lead to chronic neck pain. When a disc in the neck or cervical spine herniates, ruptures or becomes a disc protrusion, this can cause some pressure on the spinal cord, spinal nerves, or both. The terms disc herniation, disc rupture or disc protrusion mean the same thing and are used synonymously by various health professionals and lay persons alike.

When there is pressure on the spinal cord from a disc herniation, disc rupture or disc protrusion, the patient may experience neck pain, neck stiffness, shooting pains up and down the spine or even paralysis or weakness in the legs and urinary bladder. In severe cases, the spinal cord may need to be emergently decompressed to avoid permanent neurological damage.

A more common clinical pattern is when the disc herniation and/or bone spurs (osteophytes) are situated more laterally or to either or both sides. The herniated disc or bone spur can pinch a nerve as it is exiting the spinal canal trough the neural foramen. This can lead to pain in the shoulders or arms, numbness, pins and needles or even weakness of the arm on one or both sides. There may also be significant neck pain, shoulder pain and headaches. This clinical entity is called cervical radiculopathy. This may also lead to nerve damage but in most cases this is avoidable or even reversible through surgical treatment.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion has been one of the most successful procedures worldwide and is one of the most commonly performed spine procedures in the USA and worldwide today. The indications for this procedure are radiculopathy that has been present for at least 6 weeks and has not responded to non-operative treatment, spinal cord compression or intractable neck pain from cervical degenerative disc disease.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion may be performed for disease in as many levels as needed but in most cases this will be limited to one or two levels and occasionally three levels. In this procedure, the diseased or herniated disc is removed from the front and a bone graft or cage is placed in its place. The area is kept stabilized with a low profile titanium metal plate and screws.

In most cases this may be performed on an outpatient basis and regular activities may be resumed in 2 to 6 weeks depending on occupation and level of activity desired. If you have  chronic neck or arm pain that is not getting better, you may be a candidate for this procedure which has been shown to be 90 plus percent effective. X rays and MRI will be required to diagnose and determine candidacy. There is no need to suffer from chronic unrelenting neck or arm pain. We will be happy to evaluate you for the procedure or treatment that will most benefit you.

NuVasive® Helix ACP™ System Overview

1) NuVasive® Helix ACP™

NuVasive Helix ACP plate has a 2.4mm profile to reduce the chance of postoperative discomfort.

• 5-Level plates available via special order.
• Fixed and Variable Angle Bone Screws for the perfect construct type, depending on patient needs.
• Variable Angle Bone Screws feature a 20º cone-ofangulation to accommodate surgeon needs.

2 & 3) Helix Canted Coil Lock (CCL)

• Helix Canted Coil Lock consistently and securely blocks bone screws into the plate while still allowing the plate to be securely lagged to bone for a tight fit.
• Bone screws can be removed and repositioned easily while maintaining CCL integrity.
• Aggressive bone screws in a full complement of lengths and diameters accommodate a variety of surgical scenarios.

4) Balanced and Intuitive Instrumentation

• DTS Guides allow pre-drilling, tapping, and bone screw placement without changing insertion angle.

5) Low-Profile Leading Edge

• Plate sits flush against anterior cervical spine.
• Decreased "step" on leading edge of plate to reduce esophageal discomfort postoperatively.

- 1mm leading profile.

6) Narrow Plate Reduces Retraction During Placement

• Reduced retraction for easy placement.
• Less than 16mm at widest point.

7) Intraoperative Visualization

• Large portals allow for graft placement verification.