Elastomeric Lumbar Total Disc Replacement: Clinical and Radiological Results With Minimum 84 Months Follow-Up

Visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain. The plot shows mean values per follow-up visit. The dotted line represents the minimal clinically important difference value. All postoperative values are statistically different (P < .001) from the 0 month point (preoperative).

Physical disability assessed by Oswestry Disability Index. The plot shows mean values per follow-up visit. The dotted line represents the minimal clinically important difference value. All postoperative values are statistically different (P < .001) from the 0 month point (preoperative).

Case example of a typical L5S1 case. The first column shows preoperative x-rays (lateral neutral, antero-posterior, lateral flexion and extension) and sagittal magnetic resonance imaging images that evidence disc degeneration with dehydration, disc protrusion, disc and foramen height loss, without listhesis or other alignment alteration. Postoperative x-rays (lateral neutral, AP, lateral flexion and extension) in the bottom show disc and foramen height restoration, good alignment, and controlled motion.

Example from a 2-level case that evolved with L4L5 facet pain at the last follow-up visit (case No. 13). X-rays (lateral neutral, antero-posterior, lateral flexion and extension) from different follow-up visits. Note that in the preoperative images, the L4L5 level already has a large range of motion, a sign that is still seen in the 84-month images.

Prostheses survival curve. At 84-month follow-up, 16 of 18 prostheses (89%) were still active (2 had fused, and 2 had missed the last follow-up).