Neck Surgery

FDA Approves Third Cervical Artificial Disc: the Bryan Cervical Disc from Medtronic

mlepore — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:00:17 -0700

June 4, 2009
by: Spine-health Staff Writer

After long trials of deliberation, Medtronic’s Bryan Cervical Disc became FDA-approved on May 12, 2009. The Bryan Cervical Disc, designed to alleviate [url:149,type=|term|,content=|neck pain|] and related disability caused by degenerative disc disease, had received a favorable FDA recommendation back in July of 2007.

Although approved, conditions have been put in place for the approval of the Bryan for the next ten years. Medtronic will be conducting a post-market study, which will include tracking of patients' neck disability index scores, radiographic information, neurological status and a number of other outcomes in addition to data on adverse events and explanted devices.

What is unique about the Bryan is it is designed to better mimic natural disc shock absorption. It is made of titanium and polyurethane, which is softer than the nuclei of competitive discs, such as the Prestige’s metal on metal design. The polyurethane in the Bryan raised questions on wear debris during the FDA panel, but was determined to not be an issue for short-term use. Long-term use is an area of concern though, and will be under surveillance.

The Bryan (Medtronic), Prestige (Medtronic) and ProDisc-C (Synthes) are the only cervical [url:164,type=|term|,content=|artificial disc replacement|] options for the U.S., although there are expected to be more approvals and launches soon. At this point, Medtronic has not commented on the Bryan’s approval, or on projected launch dates when it will be commercially available.

Posted by: Spine-health Staff Writer

Additional Artificial Disc Replacement sources:

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FDA approves Medtronic’s Bryan Cervical Disc

Cervical Spine Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

Conditions treated by cervical spine surgery

Cervical spine surgery is generally performed on an elective basis to treat either:

Nerve/spinal cord impingement (Figures 1, 2, read more

Back Surgery and Neck Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:17 -0800

Spine surgery introduction

The primary purpose of back surgery or neck surgery is to correct an anatomical lesion in individuals who fail to show improvement with conservative treatment. For those patients who have pain, but no anatomical lesion can be identified that accounts for their pain, surgery is not an option. Surgery is useful only to change a patient’s anatomy (e.g. remove a disc herniation).

Comprehensive Spine Surgery Findings Highlight Postoperative Infection Rates

cmaynard — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:07:11 -0800

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Hand Numbness and Neck Pain From a Pinched Nerve

Ben Parr — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:58:35 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about hand numbness due to a pinched nerve in the neck.

Question: Relief for numbness and neck pain?

I have reoccurring numbness in my left hand and have taken Flexeril and have had two pain blocks with PT. Numbness and neck pain keep coming back. Also, I have started to have burning sensation in left shin and I don't know if it is related to back/neck problems or if it is related to my bad left knee (3 surgeries).

Fusion for a Cervical Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:56:59 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about spinal fusion in the neck.

Question: Is There Another Option Besides Surgery?

I have been diagnosed with a C5-C6 cervical herniated disc that is compressing the spinal cord. Anterior cervical fusion surgery has been recommended with urgency. However, I am concerned that the discs adjacent to the fusion site may become vulnerable and that the fusion may not be successful.

Surgery Options for a Cervical Herniated Disk

Ben Parr — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:56:50 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about cervical herniated disk surgery treatment options (including cervical disk replacement and anterior cervical discectomy).

Anterior Cervical Decompression and Spine Fusion for Spondylotic Myelopathy

spine-health — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 09:40:19 -0800

Benefits of anterior decompression and spine fusion surgery

In the past, cervical laminectomy (removing the posterior aspects of the spinal canal) to decompress (relieve pressure on) the spinal cord had been the procedure of choice to treat spondylotic myelopathy resulting from cervical arthritis.

Anterior Cervical Decompression and Spine Fusion Procedure

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:21:10 -0800

The decompression and spine fusion surgery is performed with the patient in the supine position under general anesthesia. Usual requirements include adequate padding of bony and soft tissue structures. Sequential compression boots are applied to the patient's lower extremities to avoid development of blood clots during the operation.

Most spine surgeons prefer to use Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEPs) or Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) to monitor spinal cord function during the surgery. However, this is not essential.

Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

Procedure for anterior cervical corpectomy spine surgery

When the cervical disease encompasses more than just the disc space, the spine surgeon may recommend removal of the vertebral body as well as the disc spaces at either end, to completely decompress the cervical canal. This procedure, a cervical corpectomy, is often done for multi-level cervical stenosis with spinal cord compression caused by bone spur (osteophytes) growth.

Posterior Cervical Laminectomy

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

Anterior Cervical Spinal Fusion Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

Understanding cervical spinal fusion

Anterior cervical spinal fusion surgeries are commonly done in conjunction with an anterior cervical discectomy. For many patients, cervical spinal fusion surgery (fusing one vertebra to another) is often done to eliminate motion at a vertebral segment. Decreasing the motion at a painful motion segment should decrease the pain at that segment. Achieving the fusion also serves to maintain adequate space for the decompressed spinal cord and/or nerve roots.

Posterior Cervical Decompression (Microdiscectomy) Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

Some spine surgeons may prefer the posterior approach (from the back of the neck) for a cervical discectomy. This approach is often considered for large soft disc herniations that are lateral to (to the side of) the spinal cord.

The principal advantage of the posterior approach is that a spine fusion does not need to be done after removing the disc.
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Considerations for a Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:23 -0800

There are a number of factors that are important in considering cervical disc replacement vs. a traditional decompression and fusion surgery. Perhaps the most important consideration is that longer term studies and follow-up will be needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of cervical disc replacement. At present, most of the information on the discs remains theoretical.

Treatment Options for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:31:46 -0800

More Neck Pain Info

Chronic Neck Pain

Types of Neck Pain

Cervical Myelopathy

Spondylosis Information

Back and Neck Surgery

Both conservative (non-surgical) and surgical approaches are available to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Spine Surgery for a Cervical Herniated Disc

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:26:49 -0800

Most episodes of arm pain due to a cervical herniated disc will resolve over a period of weeks to a couple of months. However, if the pain lasts longer than 6 to 12 weeks, or if the pain and disability is severe, spine surgery may be a reasonable option.

Spine surgery for a cervical herniated disc is generally very reliable and can be done with a minimal amount of postoperative pain and morbidity (unwanted aftereffects).

Cervical Foraminal Stenosis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:19 -0800

Cervical foraminal stenosis (narrowing of the cervical disc space) may arise without any disc herniation. The majority of symptoms with this type of cervical stenosis are usually caused by one nerve root on one side. Typically, the condition is characterized by the following: