Open AccessRelationship of Surgical Accuracy and Clinical Outcomes in Charitè Lumbar Disc Replacement
Author(s) -
Jones Christopher W,
Smitham Peter,
Walsh William R
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
orthopaedic surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1757-7861
pISSN - 1757-7853
DOI - 10.1111/j.1757-7861.2012.00191.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lumbar disc herniation , lumbar , surgery , lumbar spine
Objective To retrospectively assess the clinical and functional outcomes of a group of patients receiving Charitè lumbar disc replacement and to compare those outcomes to the corresponding surgical technical accuracy. Methods A retrospective study of all patients treated over a 3‐year period was undertaken. Objective pain scores were quantified from 1 to 10. Short Form 36‐Health Survey ( SF ‐36v2) scores were compared to A ustralian population norms. Surgical placements were radiographically classified. Heterotopic ossification, disc height restoration and angle‐defined instability were assessed using established protocols. Results Twenty‐five patients were identified with three patients lost to follow‐up. Average follow‐up was 34 months. Ideal surgical placement was achieved in five (33%) single‐level and three (37.5%) dual‐level disc replacements. Sub‐optimal surgical placement was seen in nine (60%) single‐level and five (62.5%) dual‐level disc replacements. Poor surgical placement was observed in a single‐level disc replacement. All patients demonstrated a reduction in objective pain score ( P < 0.05). SF ‐36v2 outcomes were superior in single‐level compared to dual‐level and ideal compared to sub‐optimal replacements ( P < 0.05). Conclusion The hypothesis that ideal surgical placements are associated with improved clinical and functional outcomes in total lumbar disc replacement was confirmed.