Clinical application of artificial lumbar intervertebral disc replacement

Objective To introduce the use of artificial lumbar intervertebral disc replacement for the treatment of lumbar disc degenerative diseases and lumbar disc herniation accompanying evident disc space narrowing. Methods Thirty-one cases(37 discs) of artificial lumbar disc replacement were performed using SB Charite Ⅲ from April 1998 to April 2000. Among them, disc degenerative diseases were seen in 16 cases (18 discs), disc herniation accompanying evident disc space narrowing in 13 cases (17 discs), recurrent disc herniation in 2 cases. Results All the cases were followed up from 17 to 41 months(mean, 26 months) . The clinical outcomes were excellent in 23 cases, good in 6 cases, fair in 2 cases. The mobility of the operated level had 4.0° anterior flexion and 5. 1° posterior extension after operation and 9. 1° on total mobility. Meanwhile, the operated intervertebral space got an average of 4. 2 mm higher than that before the surgery. Because of technical problem, a slight displacement of the core occurred in one case without any clinical symptoms and signs. Conclusion Artificial disc replacement is a new operation for the treatment of lumbar disc degenerative diseases and disc herniation accompanying evident disc space narrowing.