Early Catastrophic Failure of Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: A Case Report. Issue 1 (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lovecchio, Francis; McCarthy, Michael; Vaishnav, Avani S.; York, Philip; Qureshi, Sheeraz A
• Is Part Of: JBJS case connector. Volume 11:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Orthopedic surgery -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; Orthopedics; Orthopedic Procedures; Orthopedic surgery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Case studies; Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.20.00185
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2160-3251

Abstract

Abstract : Case: A 47-year-old healthy man underwent cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) for a C6 radiculopathy. Two-week radiographs showed a well-positioned implant. At the 6-week postoperative visit, the inferior portion of the implant had displaced ventrally, with C6 anterior vertebral body collapse. The next day, the implant was removed and converted to a C5/6 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Bone biopsy was unremarkable. Conclusions: This is the first reported case of early catastrophic failure of a well-positioned CDA in a healthy patient with good bone quality. Possible contributing mechanisms include hypermobility and anterior bone loss, factors previously associated with CDA.