Cervical Disc Disease

Cervical Discs

cmaynard — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:29:49 -0700

There are six cervical discs and 23 total discs in the entire spinal column. Each cervical disc rests between the cervical vertebrae, acts as a shock absorber in the cervical spine and allows the neck to handle much stress.

Composed of collagen and ligaments, the cervical discs also hold the cervical vertebrae together and allow for flexibility and different movements of the neck.

Cervical Pain from Degeneration and Injury

cmaynard — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:56:34 -0700

If a cervical vertebra is fractured by trauma, such as in a car accident, a fall, a diving accident that jars the head, or any other significant cervical injury, the spinal cord can be damaged, possibly resulting in not only cervical pain but different types of impaired functioning depending on which cervical vertebra has been injured.

For example, a cervical injury to:

Cervical Spine Anatomy and Neck Pain

cmaynard — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:44:10 -0700

Neck anatomy is a well-engineered structure of bones, nerves, muscles, ligaments and tendons. The cervical spine (neck) is delicate – housing the spinal cord that sends messages from the brain to control all aspects of the body – while also remarkably flexible, allowing movement in all directions, and strong.

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 Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment Options

Ben Parr — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:11:25 -0700

Degen. Disc Disease Info:

Cervical Disc Replacement Update (Research Article)

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:24 -0800

Cervical artificial disc

The cervical intervertebral disc is an amazing mechanical structure from an engineering perspective. It has the ability to absorb a large compressive load while still providing adequate motion between two adjacent bony vertebrae. Duplicating the disc’s form and function with a synthetic disc is challenging.

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.

Artificial Disc for Cervical Disc Replacement

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

An artificial cervical disc is a device inserted between two cervical vertebrae after an intervertebral disc has been surgically removed in the process of decompressing the spinal cord or a nerve root. The intent of the device is to preserve motion at the disc space. It is an alternative to the use of bone grafts, plates and screws in pursuit of a fusion following such a disc removal, which necessarily eliminates motion at the operated disc space in the neck.

Chronic Neck Pain

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

Suffering from Chronic Pain?

Watch this Chronic Pain Video for causes, symptoms, and treatments.

There are many conditions that can cause chronic neck pain. The following information describes symptoms of some of the more common causes of chronic neck pain.

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

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

Degen. Disc Disease Info: