Table 1

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria for ProDisc-L (from the FDA SS&E labelling document).

InclusionExclusion
  • Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) in one vertebral level between L3 and S1. Diagnosis of DDD requires back and/or leg (radicular pain); and radiographic confirmation of any 1 of the following by CT, MRI, discography, plain film, myelography and/or flexion/extension films:

    • Instability (≥3mm translation or ≥5° angulation;

    • Decreased disc height >2mm;

    • Scarring/thickening of annulus fibrosis;

    • Herniated nucleus pulposus; or

    • Vacuum phenomenon

  • Age between 18 and 60 years

  • Failed at least 6 months of conservative treatment

  • Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire score of at least 20/50 (40%) (Interpreted as moderate/severe disability)

  • Psychosocially, mentally and physically able to fully comply with this protocol including adhering to follow-up schedule and

  • Signed inform consent

  • No more than 1 vertebral level may have DDD, and all diseased levels must be treated

  • Patients with involved vertebral endplates dimensionally smaller than 34.5 mm in the medial-lateral and/or 27 mm in the anterior-posterior directions

  • Known allergy to titanium, polyethylene, cobalt, chromium or molybdenum

  • Prior fusion surgery at any vertebral level

  • Clinically compromised vertebral bodies at the affected level due to current or past trauma

  • Radiographic confirmation of facet joint disease or degeneration

  • Lytic spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis

  • Degenerative spondylolisthesis of grade > 1

  • Back or leg pain of unknown etiology

  • Osteopenia or osteoporosis: A screening questionnaire for osteoporosis, SCORE (Simple Calculated Osteoporosis Risk Estimation), will be used to screen patients to determine if a DEXA scan is required. If DEXA is required, exclusion will be defined as a DEXA bone density measured T score < -2.5.

  • Paget's disease, osteomalacia or anything other metabolic bone disease (excluding osteoporosis which is addressed above)

  • Morbid obesity defined as a body mass index > 40 or a weight more than 100 lbs. over ideal body weight

  • Pregnant or interested in becoming pregnant in the next 3 years

  • Active infection – systemic or local

  • Taking medication or any drug known to potentially interfere with bone/soft tissue healing (e.g., steroids)

  • Rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disease

  • Systemic disease including AIDS, HIV, Hepatitis

  • Active malignancy: A patient with a history of any invasive malignancy (except non-melanoma skin cancer) unless he/she has been treated with curative intent and there has been no clinical signs or symptoms of the malignancy for at least 5 years