Long-term flexion-extension range of motion of the Prodisc total disc replacement

The rationale for total disc replacement is avoidance of the junctional degeneration seen after arthrodesis by preservation of segmental motion. To justify the use of disc prostheses, it is essential to document maintained range of motion (ROM) and sagittal alignment at long-term follow-up. This is a retrospective radiographic study of 42 patients who had placement of 58 first-generation Prodisc prostheses at a mean follow-up of 8.7 years. Flexion-extension ROM was measured by Cobb's method. Junctional levels were evaluated for junctional degeneration. Pre- and postoperative global and segmental lordosis were measured. Prognostic patient factors predicting ROM of <2degrees were evaluated. We observed ROM of at least 2degrees in 66% of Prodisc prostheses at 8.7-year follow-up, although ROM was less than that reported in asymptomatic normal individuals. Mean ROM for disc prostheses with motion was 7.5degrees at L3-L4, 6.2degrees at L4-L5, and 4.1degrees at L5-S1. Mean ROM for all prostheses was 3.8degrees. The incidence of radiographic junctional degeneration was 24%, although no patients required surgery for symptomatic junctional degeneration. Mean ROM of prostheses below a degenerated junctional disc was 1.6degrees compared with 4.7degrees below a normal junctional disc (P < 0.035). Females were 3.5 times more likely to have ROM of <2degrees. This is the longest published follow-up study of a lumbar disc replacement. The data show that ROM is preserved at long-term follow-up in the majority of patients. Global and segmental sagittal alignment improve after surgery. Furthermore, there is an association between ROM of disc prostheses and the development of junctional degeneration.