Retrieval analysis of an explanted NuNec cervical disc: A case report

Explant Analysis of a Discocerv Cervical Disc: A Case Study for a Ceramic-on-Ceramic Cervical Disc

“…The average surface roughness of the ceramic articulating surfaces (0.016 μm and 0.015 μm for the alumina head and the zirconia cup, respectively) was also relatively lower than previously investigated PoP (Kandemir et al, 2020a) and MoP (Kandemir et al, 2021) surfaces. For the head and the cup of an explanted all-PEEK NuNec cervical disc (a type of PoP cervical disc), average roughness of 0.067 μm and 0.037 μm was measured, respectively (Kandemir et al, 2020a). For an explanted Mobi-C cervical disc (a type of MoP cervical disc), which consisted of cobalt chromium (CoCr) superior (curved articulating surface) and inferior endplates (flat articulating surface) and an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) insert (which had curved superior and flat inferior surfaces), average roughness values of 0.016 μm (superior curved CoCr endplate) 0.055 μm (inferior flat CoCr endplate) 1.210 μm (curved UHMWPE surface) and 0.446 μm (flat UHMWPE surface) were measured, respectively (Kandemir et al, 2021).…”

“…Compared to polymer-on-polymer (PoP) (Kandemir et al, 2020a) and metal-on-polymer (MoP) (Kandemir et al, 2021) cervical disc articulations, the scratches observed on the ceramic articular surfaces of the Discocerv cervical disc were very mild and mainly observed at the nanoscale. The average surface roughness of the ceramic articulating surfaces (0.016 μm and 0.015 μm for the alumina head and the zirconia cup, respectively) was also relatively lower than previously investigated PoP (Kandemir et al, 2020a) and MoP (Kandemir et al, 2021) surfaces. For the head and the cup of an explanted all-PEEK NuNec cervical disc (a type of PoP cervical disc), average roughness of 0.067 μm and 0.037 μm was measured, respectively (Kandemir et al, 2020a).…”

“…The lack of more than one sample available for analysis is linked to CDR being a relatively uncommon procedure (consequently, cervical discs are less infrequently implanted) compared to hip and knee arthroplasties. However, it has been shown in the literature (Kandemir et al, 2020a(Kandemir et al, , 2020b(Kandemir et al, , 2021Joyce, 2007) that even single-sample analysis could provide information on the in vivo performance of artificial implants. In addition, the results reported can add to the relatively limited knowledge on CDR, to better understand the efficacy of the procedure applied and the in vivo performance of cervical spine implants.…”

Retrieval analysis of an explanted Mobi-C cervical disc replacement: A case study

“…However, it has been shown that even with a single-sample retrieval analysis, useful information can be obtained [11,38,39].…”

“…TDR is a relatively new treatment compared to total hip and knee replacements, therefore, there are only a few studies that have investigated the biotribological performance of cervical discs [10][11][12]. Some short-term results, mainly clinical [13][14][15][16], of TDR are documented in the literature.…”