Total lumbar disc arthroplasty

Objective. To evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of M6-L artificial disc in lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). Material and Methods. A total of 109 patients with diagnosed lumbar DDD and spinal stenosis were operated on after 6 months of unsuc- cessful conservative treatment in 2011–2015. All patients underwent M6-L artificial lumbar disc implantation. Average follow-up period was 1.5 years (range: 4 months to 6 years). Patient satisfaction after treatment, regression of pain score, increase in activities of daily liv- ing, as well as radiographic parameters (recovery of intervertebral space height, mobility in the operated segment), and frequency of com- plications, reoperations and revision surgeries were evaluated. Results. Good and excellent clinical outcomes were revealed in most of patients. The average VAS score of back and leg pain regression was 27 mm, improvement in daily activity – 24.3 points on ODI, increase in the disc space height – 7.6 mm, and mobility in the operated segment – 8.5°. Serious complications were not detected, spontaneous fusion at the operated level was noted in 2.0 % of cases, revision surgery due to implant migration (implant removal and ALIF with cage) was required in 0.9 % of cases. Conclusion. Intervertebral disc arthroplasty with M6-L is a safe and highly effective procedure that maintains mobility in the operated segment and prevents adjacent disc degeneration