Explanatory note |
Fusion of the cervical spine can result in degeneration of adjacent levels and the development of new symptoms. In a systematic review by Lawrence et al (2012), low level evidence concluded that the prevalence of clinical adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) ranges from 11% to 12% at 5 years, 16% to 38% at 10 years and 33% at 17 years. Important predictors of ASD included age greater than 60 years, fusion of ≤3 levels, fusing adjacent to the C5-6 and/or C6-C7 levels, a pre-existing disc herniation, and dura mater indentation. The level of evidence for these findings was moderate to insufficient, emphasizing the need for further research. Furthermore, the indications for motion-sparing surgical procedures have not be thoroughly outlined. |
Evidence |
Systematic reviews on this topic have explored rates and risk of adjacent segment degeneration following cervical arthroplasty and anterior discectomy and fusion. No guidelines were identified. Shriver MF, Lubelski D, Sharma AM, Steinmetz MP, Benzel EC, Mroz TE. Adjacent segment degeneration and disease following cervical arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine J. 2016 Feb;16(2):168-81. Luo J, Gong M, Huang S, Yu T, Zou X. Incidence of adjacent segment degeneration in cervical disc arthroplasty versus anterior cervical decompression and fusion meta-analysis of prospective studies. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2015 Feb;135(2):155-160. Lawrence BD, Hilibrand AS, Brodt ED, Dettori JR, Brodke DS. Predicting the risk of adjacent segment pathology in the cervical spine: a systematic review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2012 Oct 15;37(22 Suppl):S52-64. Harrod CC, Hilibrand AS, Fischer DJ, Skelly AC. Adjacent segment pathology following cervical motion-sparing procedures or devices compared with fusion surgery: a systematic review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2012 Oct 15;37(22 Suppl):S96-S112.
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