Total Disc Replacement Versus Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion

Surgical treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease usually consists in neural decompression followed by intervertebral space reconstruction.

ACDF consists in interbody fusion by replacing disc space with a cage packed with bone substitute, and inserted into the anterior portion of the interspace. Fusion is successful in approximately 95% of patients with good to excellent clinical results in most of them. Unfortunately, up to 25% of these patients will develop degenerative changes at adjacent levels after surgery.

TDR consists in total disc replacement with preserved segmental motion decreasing load on adjacent levels.

Worsening of radiological degeneration signs at adjacent levels seems to be an important long term prognostic factor for reoperation.

In this trial, included patients will be randomly assigned to undergo either TDR or ACDF Six visits are planned during the study: pre inclusion visit within 3 months before surgery, inclusion/randomisation the day before surgery, 3 follow up visits (45 days, 6, and 12 months after surgery) and an end of study visit 24 months after surgery (or at time of withdrawal if relevant).

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18-60 years
• suffering from cervical disc degenerative disease (whatever the grade, level and intervertebral disc height) needing one-level surgical treatment due to either invalidating cervicobrachial nevralgia despite 3-month optimal medical treatment or neurological symptoms, with motion of surgical level at least equal to 2° degrees, and non-degenerative adjacent discs.
• Being affiliated to health insurance
• Having signed an informed consent (later than the day of inclusion and before any examination required by research)

Exclusion criteria

• Previous cervical traumatism and/or cervical surgery.
• Cervical degeneration defined as a Grade 4 according to modified Mehren classification and/or a Grade 5 according to Miyazaki et al classification on T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), at symptomatic level and/or its adjacent levels.
• Myelopathy.
• Cervical spine instability.
• Presence of at least one major contraindication to surgery and/or general anaesthesia (ie, non-controlled coagulopathy, active infection, or serious underlying disease, auto-immune affection).
• Presence of at least one contraindication to either TDR or ACDF procedure.
• Presence of at least one contraindication to either static/dynamic radiographs or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• Severe radiological osteoporosis.
• Bone metabolic disease.
• Active cancer at time of inclusion into the study.
• Chronic intake of corticosteroids or any other treatment susceptible to interfere with study conduct and/or assessment (ie, immunosuppressive drugs).
• Unlikely to comply with the requirements of the study and/or to complete the study for psychological, social, familial or geographical reasons.
• No contraception for women of childbearing age
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Being under guardianship or legal supervision.