The Mobi-C® cervical disc prosthesis: indications, technique and results

Abstract

The Mobi-C® cervical disc replacement is a semi-constrained prosthesis with a mobile polyethylene insert situated between two chrome cobalt plates. The insert can slide. Overall the Mobi-C® device has five degrees of freedom. The primary indications are as follows: 1) soft herniated discs leading to cervicobrachial pain refractory to conservative treatment; 2) some cases of hard herniated discs if movement has been documented on intra-operative dynamic bending films; 3) much more rarely in cases of spinal cord compression with myelopathy. Technically, centering of the device is facilitated by the dedicated instrument system. Regarding the results, the clinical efficacy is conventional. Mobility is preserved at a minimum 2-year follow-up in 85.5% of the devices. The main mechanical complications are radiological adjacent syndrome and heterotopic ossification (HO), among which even those of class III permit residual movement.