The Artificial Disc

Spine surgery is evolving much like hip surgery did 30 years ago. It is progressing away from fusion towards mobility retention. The LINK SB Charité Artificial Disc is the only motion-retaining disc replacement for which there is long-term clinical experience with thousands of the devices having been implanted. In this book, the topic of artificial disc replacement is thoroughly discussed by the inventors and top spine specialists. Key features, such as the history of the SB Charité Disc, spinal anatomy, technical background, and clinical results are presented. This provides much valuable information to spinal surgeons interested in the state of the art of this exciting treatment. The SB Charité disc replacement, used in dedicated European centers for more than 10 years, is presently creating much interest in the Americas, too. This book is a must for anyone in the field of medicine interested in the operative treatment of low back pain.

Spine surgery is evolving much like hip surgery did 30 years ago. It is progressing away from fusion towards mobility retention. The LINK SB Charité Artificial Disc is the only motion-retaining disc replacement for which there is long-term clinical experience with thousands of the devices having been implanted. In this book, the topic of artificial disc replacement is thoroughly discussed by the inventors and top spine specialists. Key features, such as the history of the SB Charité Disc, spinal anatomy, technical background, and clinical results are presented. This provides much valuable information to spinal surgeons interested in the state of the art of this exciting treatment. The SB Charité disc replacement, used in dedicated European centers for more than 10 years, is presently creating much interest in the Americas, too. This book is a must for anyone in the field of medicine interested in the operative treatment of low back pain.

Joint replacement is a logical step in the treatment of severe joint pathologies with irreversible lesions resisting conservative therapy. At the spinal level, arthrodesis became, very early, the gold standard of treatment for severe intervertebral disc pathologies. The next logical step was to envision functional replacement, and this step was taken as early as 1956, when the first intervertebral implant was described. However, it took many more years and a great variety of proposed implant designs before clinical applications could be attempted.

Joint replacement is a logical step in the treatment of severe joint pathologies with irreversible lesions resisting conservative therapy. At the spinal level, arthrodesis became, very early, the gold standard of treatment for severe intervertebral disc pathologies. The next logical step was to envision functional replacement, and this step was taken as early as 1956, when the first intervertebral implant was described. However, it took many more years and a great variety of proposed implant designs before clinical applications could be attempted.

Part of the Neurosurgery by Example series, this volume on spinal neurosurgery presents exemplary cases in which renowned authors guide readers through the assessment and planning, decision making, surgical procedure, after care, and complication management of common and uncommon disorders. The cases explore the spectrum of clinical diversity and complexity within spinal neurosurgery, including occipital cervical dislocation, cervical myelopathy, thoracic cord compression, lumbar stenosis, and more. Each chapter also contains 'pivot points' that illuminate changes required to manage patients in alternate or atypical situations, and pearls for accurate diagnosis, successful treatment, and effective complication management. Containing a focused review of medical evidence and expected outcomes, Spinal Neurosurgery is appropriate for neurosurgeons who wish to learn more about a subspecialty, and those preparing for the American Board of Neurological Surgery oral examination. Advance Praise for Spinal Neurosurgery "I congratulate Drs. Harrop and Maulucci for this well done book that utilizes a unique and very effective format to cover the gamut of spine surgery and spine care topics. The book is well organized, lavishly illustrated with numerous figures and images, and includes oral board review pearls that are of particular value for those studying for their neurosurgery board examinations." -- Edward Benzel, MD, Emeritus Chair of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH "Through this extensive collection of various spine related clinical scenarios, the reader is able to learn very pertinent management principles and pearls. This book is particularly useful for those who are preparing for the oral boards, but also serves as excellent reading material for neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons at any stage in their career." -- Charles Sansur, MD, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD "Drs. Harrop and Maulucci have assembled an excellent compendium of cases/pathologies. The "Case-based" approach of this text lends itself to an easy readability as well as a compartmentalization of the reading for busy practitioners. This book is extremely useful to practitioners at all stages in their career, as it covers both basic and controversial information for each topic, and may be particularly useful for those surgeons reviewing for their oral board examination." -- Michael Y. Wang, MD, FACS, Professor of Neurological Surgery and Rehab, Medicine Spine Fellowship Director, Chief of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Hospital and Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL

If you've been told you need fusion, READ THIS BOOK FIRST! The decision to undergo spinal surgery is a critical one; few decisions in life are more crucial to your future! If you or a loved one are considering spinal fusion or any other spine surgery, you owe it to yourself to understand all your options. The field of spinal surgery is changing rapidly. The "state of the art" has moved far beyond fusion and discectomy, and a whole new world of options now allow patients to recover quickly, regain lost mobility, and return to work and recreational activities without restriction. In this book, you will learn: The predictable, long-term complications that can follow nearly every fusion. Why the surgical techniques of the 60's and 70's continue to have profound and negative impact on the patients of today. How artificial disc replacement and hybrid fusion are allowing patients to avoid the long-term complications of fusion and enjoy a life of complete mobility and freedom instead of stiffness and pain. Join international spine experts Karsten Ritter-Lang, M.D., and Jan Spiller, M.D., as they help you decide "To Fuse or Not to Fuse."

There have been important developments in materials and therapies for the treatment of spinal conditions. Biomaterials for spinal surgery summarises this research and how it is being applied for the benefit of patients. After an introduction to the subject, part one reviews fundamental issues such as spinal conditions and their pathologies, spinal loads, modelling and osteobiologic agents in spinal surgery. Part two discusses the use of bone substitutes and artificial intervertebral discs whilst part three covers topics such as the use of injectable biomaterials like calcium phosphate for vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty as well as scoliosis implants. The final part of the book summarises developments in regenerative therapies such as the use of stem cells for intervertebral disc regeneration. With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Biomaterials for spinal surgery is a standard reference for both those developing new biomaterials and therapies for spinal surgery and those using them in clinical practice. Summarises recent developments in materials and therapies for the treatment of spinal conditions and examines how it is being applied for the benefit of patients Reviews fundamental issues such as spinal conditions and their pathologies, spinal loads, modelling and osteobiologic agents in spinal surgery Discusses the use of bone substitutes and artificial intervertebral discs and covers topics such as the use of injectable biomaterials like calcium phosphate for vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

This handbook is the most authoritative and up-to-date reference on spine technology written for practitioners, researchers, and students in bioengineering and clinical medicine. It is the first resource to provide a road map of both the history of the field and its future by documenting the poor clinical outcomes and failed spinal implants that contributed to problematic patient outcomes, as well as the technologies that are currently leading the way towards positive clinical outcomes. The contributors are leading authorities in the fields of engineering and clinical medicine and represent academia, industry, and international government and regulatory agencies. The chapters are split into five sections, with the first addressing clinical issues such as anatomy, pathology, oncology, trauma, diagnosis, and imaging studies. The second section, on biomechanics, delves into fixation devices, the bone implant interface, total disc replacements, injury mechanics, and more. The last three sections, on technology, are divided into materials, commercialized products, and surgery. All appropriate chapters will be continually updated and available on the publisher’s website, in order to keep this important reference as up-to-date as possible in a fast-moving field.