Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc replacement has obtained favorable effects in clinical application. However, prosthesis design, wearing debris, osteoporosis, revision strategy, and case selection can influence outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: To review problems in intervertebral disc replacement, requirements for future intervertebral disc replacement and future development trends of ceramics companies.
METHODS: With key words “total disc replacement, vertebra, ceramics” in English, PubMed and international science citation databases were searched for articles published between 1990 and 2008. Articles related to intervertebral disc replacement and ceramic joint were included. Repetitive studies were excluded. A total of 27 articles were discussed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Wearing degree of intervertebral disc replacement is lighter than hip and knee arthroplasty. However, people worry that wearing debris and any secondary inflammatory reaction occur adjacent to nerve structures. It remains controversial on metal ion release in intervertebral disc replacement. Metal alloy can induce artifacts in MRI scanning. To date, no in vitro experimental data are available on implant febrility or displacement in MRI examination. Composite material Biolox® delta is advanced ceramic material, with good biocompatibility, wearing and fracture resistance. It can ensure high quality of radiology and MRI images during follow-up of patients undergoing intervertebral disc replacement.