PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc Provides Alternative to Spinal Fusion Surgery

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The PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc offers patients with symptoms related to degenerative cervical disc disease (DDD) in the cervical spine an alternative to spinal fusion surgery. Constructed of stainless steel in a unique, two-piece ball-and-trough configuration, the device is designed to maintain motion at the treated vertebral segment.

Each vertebra in the spine is separated by a shock absorbing disc, which is made up largely of water. As discs lose water content because of disease, injury or age, they compress, or lose height, which causes the vertebrae to move closer together. This reduces the disc's shock absorbing qualities, which may lead to bone spurs and narrowing of the nerve openings. If a disc ruptures, it can place pressure on the surrounding nerve roots and the spinal cord, resulting in pain, numbness and/or weakness.

Your doctor may recommend surgery if non-surgical treatment fails to provide relief from these symptoms. Traditionally, a procedure called an anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) has been the "gold standard" for surgically treating DDD in the cervical spine. Using bone grafts and instrumentation such as metal plates and screws, this procedure fuses, or creates a bond between, two or more adjacent vertebrae, ideally stabilizing the segment and providing relief. Many patients have achieved excellent results with ACDF; however, a potential disadvantage associated with spinal fusion is the loss of motion and flexibility in the treated vertebral segment.

Made of stainless steel, the device has two articulating components (a ball on top and a trough on the bottom) that are inserted into the disc space and attached to the vertebral bodies on either side. These components function like a joint, replicating the motion (flexion, extension, side bending and rotation) of a natural intervertebral disc.

The PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc is available in a variety of sizes that allow surgeons to closely match a patient's anatomy.

While many factors contribute to the longevity of an artificial disc, the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc has undergone significant testing to verify the safety and adequate durability of the device.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc. To find a doctor near you, visit our physician locator.

Read more about the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc at www.prestigedisc.com.

Important Safety Information

It is important that you discuss the potential risks, complications and benefits of the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your doctor's judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.