Cervical disc arthroplasty: Equivalent alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion but unknown superiority

Cervical disc arthroplasty has been developed as an alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with the advantages of preserving intervertebral motion, eliminating the risk of pseudarthrosis, and theoretically reducing adjacent segment degeneration. Several large prospective randomized trials have been conducted to investigate the clinical and radiographic results of cervical disc arthroplasty versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Long-term results from these studies, however, show no difference in functional outcomes and no evidence to date in reduction of adjacent segment disease with arthroplasty. Although cervical disc arthroplasty is a safe and equivalent alternative, its superiority is yet unknown.