Segmental Kinematics and Adjacent Level Degeneration Following Disc Replacement versus Fusion: RCT with Three Years of Follow-Up

Abstract

The range of motion of the treated segment with prosthesis remained unchanged 3 years after surgery in comparison to the 1-year result. The prosthesis shows a significant segmental motion in contrast to the fusion group at each RSA examination time (p < 0.05). After both procedures, a significant pain reduction in neck and arm was observed, without significant differences between both groups. During the course of the 3 years follow-up, no patients of the prosthesis group required further surgical intervention.