A randomized controlled trial with extended long-term follow-up: Quality of cervical spine motion after anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) or anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA)

Introduction: In previous research, a consistent sequence of segmental contributions during dynamic extension X-rays of the cervical spine was observed in 80–90% of healthy participants. Research question: To investigate whether this previously defined ‘normal’ sequence of segmental contributions was present in patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA) or anterior cervical discectomy (ACD). Materials & methods: A randomized controlled trial with extended follow-up was conducted. Patients with single level cervical degenerative radiculopathy with a surgical indication were included and randomized. Dynamic X-ray recordings were made before surgery, one-year post-operative, and at long term follow-up. Results: A total of 27 patients were included, three in an ACDA pilot group and 24 were randomized to receive ACDA (N = 12) or ACD (N = 12). A total of 20 patients were available for follow-up. Preoperatively, 16.7% of patients in the ACDA group and 58.3% of patients in the ACD group showed a normal sequence. One-year post-operative, 66.7% showed a normal sequence in the ACDA group versus 30.0% in the ACD group (p = 0.036). After an average of 11-years follow-up, a normal sequence was observed in 9.1% of patients in the ACDA group and in none of the patients in the ACD group (p = 0.588). Discussion & conclusion: These findings suggest that while ACDA can restore and preserve a normal sequence of segmental contributions in the short term, this effect is not maintained in the long term. Throughout the process of ageing, not only the quantity, but also the quality of motion changes.