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I have had chronic disc caused neck pain and have a history of cervical fusion at several levels. I am once again being faced with the decision to have surgery to get rid of my returned pain. I have a new surgeon who is suggesting I get a disc arthroplasty this time instead of fusing another level. What is the evidence on this newer procedure?

A recently published article with solid evidence suggests that a cervical fusion and a disc arthroplasty have very similar outcomes, with the exception that disc arthroplasty tends to require less follow up surgery. It is theorized that this is because the arthroplasty allows for continued movement at that segment, so the joints above and below the level are not more depended on for motion.

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