Lumbar Artificial Disc
Trained Surgeons
Press Coverage
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The goal of the artificial disc is to treat the pain
associated with degenerative disc disease, a condition
estimated to affect 200,000 – 400,000 people in
the United States each year. The Charité Artificial
Disc, manufactured and distributed by DePuy Spine (a
division of Johnson & Johnson) is the first lumbar
artificial disc to be approved by the FDA. This
approval came on October 26, 2004.
While the use of artificial discs is new in the U.S.,
these devices have been used extensively in Europe for
years – with compelling outcomes. Several studies
report the percentage of patients returning to work
at 67% - 89%. Patients followed in these studies experienced
significant pain relief and increased activity levels.
The results from the study conducted in the U.S. to
gain FDA approval show similarly positive results. The
patients who received the Charité Artificial
Disc in the study maintained flexibility, experienced
improvements in pain and function, left the hospital
sooner and were more satisfied with the procedure. Complication
rates for both the artificial disc and fusion groups
were similar.
The Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch
(CINN) medical group was one of only 17 sites across
the nation selected to participate in the clinical trial
of the Charité Artificial Disc. Over the course
of the three-year trial, CINN has implanted over 80
artificial discs.
To date, use of the artificial disc has been limited
to patients between the ages of 18 to 60 who presented
with lower back pain caused by a single level degenerative
disc. Now that the device is FDA approved, trained surgeons
will be able to use the device, when appropriate, to
treat patients of any age with both single and multiple
level disc degeneration. In addition, some patients
who experience sciatica, or pain that radiates down
the leg, along with back pain, will be able to receive
the implant.
To schedule an appointment with a CINN surgeon trained
to implant the lumbar artificial disc, please call 1-800-446-1234.
About the disc
 The
Charité Artificial Disc is comprised of three
pieces: a sliding core and two metal endplates. The
sliding core is made from a medical grade plastic (polyethylene)
and the endplates are made from medical grade cobalt
chromium alloy. These materials usually do not harm
the human body and are used in many other medical implants
such as total knee replacement implants.
Procedure overview
The artificial disc procedure is performed under general
anesthesia. The patient is positioned on their back
and the neurosurgeon operates on the spine through an
incision in the abdomen near the belly button. A general
surgeon may also be present to assist the neurosurgeon
in gently moving organs to one side so that the neurosurgeon
can visualize the spine.
 First,
the collapsed degenerative disc(s) is removed. The neurosurgeon
then uses a specially designed device to restore the
natural height of the disc space. Following preparation
of the disc space, the neurosurgeon must determine what
size disc to implant. Once this decision has been made,
the two endplates of the disc device are pressed in
the spine above and below the disc space; teeth along
the border of each endplate allow the device to grip
the bone. The polyethylene core is then placed between
the endplates.
The artificial disc stays in place by the spinal ligaments
and remaining part of the annulus of the disc, as well
as the compressive force of the spine. Bending x-rays
of patients after the surgery show that the motion of
the artificial disc can closely approximate the normal
motion of a healthy disc.
The hospital stay for this procedure is approximately
three days. Backward bending movements are restricted
for several weeks post-operatively. Patients can begin
a formal therapy program shortly after surgery.
To schedule an appointment with a CINN neurosurgeon
trained to implant the artificial disc, please call
1-800-446-1234.
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