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ARROWHEAD HOSPITAL AND LOCAL SPINE SURGEON FIRST IN ARIZONA TO IMPLANT FDA APPROVED ARTIFICIAL CERVICAL DISC
FOR PATIENTS WITH NECK AND ARM PAIN

Artificial Disc Alleviates Patients’ Pain and Discomfort While Maintaining range of Motion

    (PHOENIX, Ariz.—October 4, 2007) Arrowhead Hospital and affiliated spine surgeon, Dr. Michael Cluck of the Spine Institute of Arizona, were the first in Arizona to utilize a new surgical technique that will offer patients relief and a chance to maintain motion in their necks following surgery for cervical degenerative disc disease.

The new artificial disc, called the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc, is the first artificial disc approved for the cervical spine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. During surgery the small stainless steel disc is inserted into the neck replacing the diseased disc and preserving motion.

Patients suffering from Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) often tend to experience arm pain and numbness, tingling, or weakness associated with a pinched nerve in the neck. Many times this can limit a patient’s daily activities, work performance, and recreation. In the past, most DDD patients underwent spinal fusion to alleviate pain associated with the disease. Although the spinal fusion procedure provides excellent pain relief in most patients, the restricted motion created by the fusion produces more stress on adjacent levels of the spine which may become symptomatic and require more surgery. In addition, recovery time for spinal fusion is often twice as long in the fusion patients compared to patients who receive the new cervical disc implant.

“I feel so fortunate to be part of this medical advancement because of the significant impact it will have on my patients,” says Dr. Michael Cluck, Spine Institute of Arizona surgeon. “My patients have the opportunity to maintain an active lifestyle pain-free, something many of them didn’t think would ever be possible.”

The procedure, which can take anywhere from one to three hours to complete, requires a small three to six centimeter incision in the neck and a short recovery time of only a couple weeks. The average candidate for this specific procedure tends to be a younger patient, 35-55 years of age with light to moderate DDD. However, older patients with mild to moderate disease may benefit from this procedure as well. Patients are encouraged to first exhaust other conservative efforts such as medications, physical therapy and steroid injections prior to undergoing the procedure.

About the Patient: Lori Johnson, a 43 year-old Casa Grande resident and competitive cyclist, was the first patient to undergo this FDA approved procedure in Arizona. After a year of pain and the inability to ride her bike, she decided to have the surgery performed by Dr. Michael Cluck at Arrowhead Hospital.

To interview the first patient in the Arizona to undergo the FDA approved Prestige Cervical Disc Implant surgery, or to speak directly with Dr. Cluck, please call Lisa Levi, 602-674-1419, to make arrangements.

About Prestige Cervical Disc:
In the U.S. clinical trial of the PRESTIGE Cervical disc, patients who received the disc showed improved neurological success at 24 months and improved overall success. The clinical trial is the largest, completed, prospective randomized controlled study of its kind in the cervical spine enrolling a total of 541 patients.