The Norwegian Cervical Arthroplasty Trial

Anterior discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is in Norway currently the most common operative method against cervical radiculopathy, caused by disc herniation and/or spondylosis. In the last decade cervical arthroplasty has emerged as a new alternative operative method. Arthroplasty is claimed to preserve the natural motion of the spine, thereby preventing adjacent level disc disease and providing better clinical results. However, this hypothesis has not yet been adequately proven. In our study, we will prove if there is any real difference in terms of clinical effect between cervical arthroplasty and ACDF.We will also compare the overall costs of the two methods, including cost-utility analyses. Moreover, we will study the development of adjacent level disease by use of MRI scans, and analyze cervical spine motion and disc height by use of Distortion Compensated Roentgen Analysis (DCRA).

Inclusion criteria

• Age 25 - 60 years
• Clinical C6 or C7 root radiculopathy with corresponding radiologic findings with or without neurological symptoms
• Mechanical provoked pain which aggravate with physical activity or positive Spurling test
• Radiological nerve root compression on the basis of disc herniation or spondylosis
• NDI =/> 30 percent
• The patient has not responded to non-operative treatment and shown no sign of improvement during the last 6 weeks

Exclusion criteria

• Significant spondylosis involving more than one level
• Intramedullary changes on MRI
• Ankylosis at adjacent level
• Clinical suspicion of myelopathy
• Chronic generalised pain syndrome
• Infection
• Active cancer
• Rheumatoid arthritis involving the cervical spine
• Previous trauma involving the cervical spine
• Pregnancy
• Allergy against contents in cage/artificial disc
• Previous neck surgery
• Psychological or somatic illness that causes the patient not to be suitable for the study
• The patient does not understand Norwegian orally or in writing.
• Abuse of medication/narcotics