Clinical Trials

Artificial Disc Replacement

Artificial Disc implanted in Cervical Spine (view from side)

Cervical Disc Disease

The cervical spine has seven vertebrae and between each of those vertebrae is a disc. Age, genetics, and everyday wear and tear caused by routine activities can contribute to damage and degeneration of cervical discs. Degeneration of discs commonly causes neck pain that radiates toward the shoulders and arms causing pain, weakness, and numbness. non-surgical treatment, such as physical therapy, injections, and neck braces are usually prescribed first by a doctor. However, some patients do not respond well to non-surgical care and may be candidates for spine surgery.

Standard Treatment

The current standard of care for the treatment of cervical disc disease is Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF). An ACDF consists of removing the disc and then replacing it with a bone graft, and inserting a cervical plate with screws. The procedure attempts to permanently fuse two or more vertebrae together so they cannot move except as a single unit. This may alleviate pain but has potential disadvantages, including loss of motion and flexibility, and possible further degeneration of adjacent discs.

Cervical Artificial Disc

The SECURE®-C Cervical Artificial Disc has been developed to potentially provide the relief of pain while preserving motion of the cervical spine. The device is designed to provide support for the vertebrae while permitting motion in backwards and forward bending, side to side bending, and turning. The implant is composed of two endplates and a core. The metallic endplates are designed to move and slide on a central core made of polymer material often used in artificial hips and knees. The surgeon accesses the spine from the front of the neck (anterior), and removes the diseased or damaged disc (discectomy). The SECURE®-C Cervical Artificial Disc is then inserted into the disc space.  The surgery lasts approximately one to two hours.

*To view patient brochures explaining the clinical trial currently under way at the Columbia Presbyterian Spine Center please click on link:
SECURE®-C Cervical Artificial Disc