New device replaces damaged neck disc.

• Position: Medical Update

Although spinal fusion offers relief from pain caused by damaged cervical discs, the conventional surgery reduces movement and may lead to long-term problems in adjacent areas. An artificial disc that may be a viable alternative-especially for younger, active patients-is in Phase II trials in the United States. To learn more about the breakthrough implant surgery, MU talked to Dr. Rick Sasso, an orthopedic spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group, one of about 15 centers in this country testing Medtronic's Bryan Cervical Disc System to replace discs in the upper, or cervical, spine. The device is approved for use in Europe.

"The new therapy replaces the standard fusion operation in which we remove the disc to relieve pressure on the nerve, and then fuse that motion segment," explains Dr. Sasso. "Initially, patients would typically not notice a loss of neck motion. But because of the increased stress and strain that occurs above and below the fused segment, advanced degeneration occurs. Basically, it speeds up the arthritic process. Down the road, patients would run into problems at adjacent levels."

Younger people may be ideal candidates for the titanium-polyurethane cervical implant, according to Dr. Sasso.

"This surgical advance provides the patient with normal neck motion," he says. "Therefore, the procedure is well suited for a young, active person with disc herniation--a piece of disc that has worked its way out of the disc and is sitting against the spinal cord or nerve root and causing significant dysfunction."

One such patient, Michael Rudicle, seriously...