ABSTRACT

Purpose:

To assess the 2 year results of lumbar disc herniation patients treated with NUBAC™ disc arthroplasty system.

Methods:

10 patients (<45 years), with large disc herniation, otherwise relatively well preserved disc who presents with recalcitrant leg pain refractory to conservative treatment were included to the study. NUBAC™ disc arthroplasty was performed via standard posterior approach. Per-operative and 2 year follow-up scores (VAS, ODI) were obtained. Plain X-rays were performed on the postoperative first day and 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery while MRI and dynamic X-Rays were performed on the postoperative 24 months. Furthermore, adjacent disc degeneration were evaluated on the T2-weighted midsagittal MR images according to Pfirrmann classification.

Results:

5 of 10 patients were male. Average patient age at the time of surgery was 32,3. Statistically significant difference was observed in the radicular pain group (p<0.05) while the difference was not significant in terms of low back pain (p>0.05) 2 years after surgery. Lumbar MRI’s performed 2 years after surgery did not show any additional degenerative changes on the adjacent discs. Any vascular and/or neurological complication did not occur.

Conclusion:

NUBAC™ is a promising device which may help surgeons to reduce pain while restoring motion and protect adjacent discs.