RT Journal
A1 Schoenfeld, Andrew J.
T1 Commentary on an article by Rick Delamarter, MD, et al.: “Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption Study of the ProDisc-L Total Disc Replacement Compared with Circumferential Arthrodesis for the Treatment of Two-Level Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease. Results at Twenty-four Months”
JF The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
JO The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
YR 2011
FD April 20
VO 93
IS 8
SP e41 1
OP 2
DO 10.2106/JBJS.J.01847
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.J.01847
AB 
For nearly as long as spinal arthrodesis has been used to treat lumbar spine disorders, concerns have been raised regarding the long-term biomechanical and anatomic ramifications of successful fusion, particularly adjacent-segment disc degeneration and loss of lumbar range of motion. In many ways, the specter of adjacent-segment disc degeneration has been most concerning as it can lead to a deterioration in function that was gained following the initial procedure as well as to symptoms that may require further surgery. As a result, new surgical devices and procedures are being developed with the intention of treating lumbar degenerative conditions while maintaining near-normal biomechanical and anatomic parameters. Without question, the total disc replacement is one such "motion-sparing" device that has received substantial attention within the spine surgery community.