NuBac disc arthroplasty system: Rationale and clinical results

Abstract

Although most of the patients suffering from discogenic low back pain (LBP) can be successfully treated conservatively, patients failing to respond to the conservative treatments often seek surgery. Both fusion and total disc arthroplasty (TDA) are considered as common surgical treatments. Clinically, randomized controlled studies compared TDA with fusion and showed good results. However, the invasiveness of the surgery, revision risk and accelerated facet degeneration may be the issues which require careful follow-up. Efforts have been made to develop a device to replace only the diseased nucleus, while maintaining disc height and being less invasive than TDA. The NuBac™ Disc Arthroplasty System is a technology incorporating these characteristics in combination with preservation of motion. This is an ongoing, prospective, non-randomized, multi-centre cohort study evaluating the clinical results with the NuBac disc arthroplasty system. Patients who have discogenic LBP with or without leg pain and failed 6 months conservative treatment are included in this longitudinal study. Patient pathology and surgeon preference determine which surgical approach, anterolateral, lateral or posterior, is used to implant NuBac. Patient demographics, VAS and ODI are collected pre-operatively and at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post-operatively. The data demonstrate that NUBAC is a less invasive treatment option which is safe and effective in relieving pain and improving function and is clinically viable for all three major surgical approaches. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.