Ceramic fracture following cervical disc arthroplasty

Abstract

Although ceramic fractures have been reported following total hip arthroplasty1-6, with an incidence ranging from 0.004% to 1.4%1-3, no cases of ceramic fracture following cervical disc arthroplasty have been reported, to our knowledge. We present the case of a patient with cervical radiculopathy who underwent total disc replacement at C5-C6 and C6-C7, which was complicated by the development of recurrent symptoms approximately one month after the index procedure. At the time of the revision surgery, the ceramic insert at the C6-C7 level was found to be fractured on its convex cranial side. The implant used was a semiconstrained ceramicon- ceramic prosthesis (Discocerv Cervidisc Evolution; Scientx, Guyancourt, France). Since the introduction of this prosthesis in April 20067, more than 2000 prostheses have been implanted. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and he gave his consent.