A prospective morphological study of facet joint integrity following intervertebral disc replacement with the CHARITE Artificial Disc.

In degenerative disc disease (DDD), increased loading in the posterior column increases facet joint subchondral bone density and may lead to facet joint degeneration. While spinal fusion is commonly used to treat patients with symptomatic DDD, increased stress at the levels adjacent to fusion may accelerate facet joint and adjacent segment degeneration. Artificial disc replacements have been developed as an alternative to fusion. In this prospective study, the effects of disc replacement with the CHARITE Artificial Disc on facet joint loading and integrity were evaluated. Thirteen patients aged <50 years with symptomatic DDD were recruited. Computed tomography (CT) osteoabsorptiometry was performed prior to the implantation of the CHARITE Artificial Disc and six months after. With this technique, increases or decreases in facet joint loading and integrity are indicated by corresponding changes in subchondral bone density. Changes in the distribution of load alter the distribution of the areas of maximum bone density. Clinical outcome was also assessed at pre-operative and 6 and 12 month post-operative visits using the Visual Analogue Scale back and leg pain scores, the Oswestry Disability Index and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. The height of the intervertebral space at the operated level was monitored by lateral X-ray. Subchondral bone density was evaluated in the facet joints of all 13 patients at the operated level, 12 patients at the level above the operated segment, and five patients at the level below the operated segment. Quantitative measurements revealed no significant increases (> or =3%) in subchondral bone density of the facet joints at any level in any patient. Significant decreases (> or =3%) in subchondral bone density were measured at the operated level in 10/13 patients, at the level above the operated segment in 6/12 patients, and at the level below the operated segment in 3/5 patients. There were no changes in the distribution of the areas of maximum bone density in any of the studied facet joints at 6 months compared with pre-operative measurements. Clinical outcome scores were improved at 6 and 12 months compared with baseline. The mean intervertebral space height at the operated level was increased following implantation of the CHARITE Artificial Disc and was 1.8 times greater than the pre-operative height at both 6 and 12 months. In this study, replacement of degenerated intervertebral discs with the CHARITE Artificial Disc was not associated with increased loading of the facet joints at the operated or adjacent levels. Decreases in subchondral bone density may indicate reduced loading in the posterior column following disc replacement compared with loading in the pre-operative degenerated spine. Further study is required to establish the baseline for healthy subchondral bone density and to compare this baseline with long-term measurements in patients undergoing disc replacement.