Abstract
Objective: Movement in an artificial disc would be assumed to be a necessary function of the disc. The purpose of this study was to establish whether, if any, relationship existed between movement in the artificial disc and outcome.
Subjects: 25 patients who had received an artificial disc prosthesis were assessed using radiological methods. Despite many vagaries in the measurement of X-rays, fluoroscopy was used to assess gross movement and end of flexion/extension views used to measure degrees of motion.
Outcome measures: Oswestry disability score.
Results: A very clear relationship has been established between motion in the artificial disc and outcome.
Conclusions: It is likely that spinal fusion will ultimately give way to disc replacement. Although spinal fusion has been shown in the Swedish spine series to produce good outcomes for significant numbers of patients, it remains to be seen whether the retention of motion will enhance outcome in low back pain patients. This series suggests that the retention of motion is an important component in the outcome of surgery in back pain sufferers.
Abstracts prepared by Mr. A. J. Stirling, FRCS, and Miss A. Weaver. Correspondence should be addressed to Miss A. Weaver at the Research and Teaching Centre, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2AP, UK
BritSpine 2002, the second combined meeting of the British Association of Spinal Surgeons, the British Cervical Spine Society, The British Scoliosis Society and the Society for Back Pain Research, took place at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham UK between 27th February and 1st March 2002. The following presentations and posters were given and displayed.
