Safety and Efficacy Study Comparing ProDisc-C to ACDF Surgery to Treat SCDD

Inclusion Criteria

• Symptomatic cervical disc disease (SCDD) in one vertebral level between C3-C7 defined as: Neck or arm (radicular) pain; and/or a functional/neurological deficit with at least one of the following conditions confirmed by imaging (CT, MRI or X-rays): Herniated nucleus pulposus; Spondylosis (defined by the presence of osteophytes); and/or Loss of disc height.
• Age between 18 and 60 years.
• Unresponsive to non-operative treatment for approximately six weeks or has the presence of progressive symptoms or signs of nerve root/spinal cord compression in the face of conservative treatment.
• NDI score greater than or equal to 15/50 (30%).
• Psychosocially, mentally and physically able to fully comply with the protocol including adhering to follow-up schedule and requirements and filling out forms.
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

• More than one vertebral level requiring treatment.
• Marked cervical instability on resting lateral or flexion/extension radiographs: translation greater than 3mm and/or greater than 11 degrees of rotational difference to that of either adjacent level.
• Has a fused level adjacent to the level to be treated.
• Radiographic confirmation of severe facet joint disease or degeneration.
• Known allergy to cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, titanium or polyethylene.
• Clinically comprised vertebral bodies at the affected level(s) due to current or past trauma, e.g. by the radiographic appearance of fracture callus, malunion or nonunion.
• Prior surgery at the level to be treated.
• Severe spondylosis at the level to be treated as characterized by any of the following: Bridging osteophytes; A loss of disc height greater than 50%; or Absence of motion (<2°).
• Neck or arm pain of unknown etiology.
• Osteoporosis: A screening questionnaire for osteoporosis, SCORE (Simple Calculated Osteoporosis Risk Estimation), will be used to screen patients who require a DEXA (dual energy x-ray absoptiometry) bone mineral density measurement. If DEXA is required, exclusion will be defined as a DEXA bone density measured T score less than or equal to -2.5 (the World Health Organization definition of osteoporosis).
• Paget's disease, osteomalacia or any other metabolic bone disease (excluding osteoporosis which is addressed above).
• Severe diabetes mellitus requiring daily insulin management.
• Pregnant or interested in becoming pregnant in the next three years.
• Active infection - systemic or local.
• Taking medications or any drug known to potentially interfere with bone/soft tissue healing (e.g., steroids).
• Rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disease.
• Systemic disease including AIDS, HIV, hepatitis.
• Active malignancy: A patient with a history of any invasive malignancy (except non-melanoma skin cancer), unless he/she has been treated with curative intent and there have been no clinical signs or symptoms of the malignancy for at least 5 years.