Original Research
Evaluation of Total Disc Arthroplasty: A Canine Model
Am J Orthop. 2008 April;37(4):E64-E70
Author and Disclosure Information
Brett A. Taylor, MD, Gbolahan O. Okubadejo, MD, Alpesh A. Patel, MD, Michael R. Talcott, DVM, Toshii Imamura, MD, PhD, Nianbin Hu, MD, and Bryan W. Cunningham, MSc
Dr. Taylor is an Orthopaedic Surgeon, Orthopaedic Center of St. Louis, Chesterfield, Missouri.
Dr. Okubadejo is an Orthopaedic Surgeon and Spine Surgery Fellow, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Patel is Orthopaedic Surgeon and Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dr. Talcott is Veterinarian, and Dr. Imamura is Clinical Researcher, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Hu is Orthopaedic Research Fellow, and Mr. Cunningham is Director of Spinal Research, Orthopaedic Spinal Research Labaratory, St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, Maryland.
The study reported here was designed to examine the biomechanical and histopathologic properties of total disc arthroplasty (TDA) using a canine model. Thirty-seven dogs were divided into 3 groups (intact spine, fusion, TDA) and sacrificed either at study commencement or at 3 months. Results showed progressive fusion from 0 to 3 months in the fusion group. The TDA group maintained motion throughout this period. No neurologic complications were noted in either group. These results establish the canine as a model for future studies of TDA.