November Theatre
November 5, 2007
Daniel Rodrigue, Sr.
November 7, 2007
Orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Chris Cenac Jr. is breaking new ground at Terrebonne General Medical Center with an artificial disc designed to help maintain motion in patients’ necks following surgery for cervical degenerative disc disease.
According to Cenac, the Prestige Cervical Disc is inserted into the neck using a procedure similar to the technique surgeons use when performing a spinal anterior neck fusion.
This is the first artificial disc approved for the cervical spine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said hospital spokeswoman Rhonda Alfred.
“This is a procedure that we have been waiting for quite a long time,” Cenac said. “Preserving motion has been shown to be superior to stopping (fusing) motion throughout the history of orthopedics. This technology has finally made it to spine surgery, first lumbar (low back) and, now, cervical (neck).”
To date, patients in the U.S. clinical trial of the Prestige Cervical Disc showed improved neurological success at 24 months and improved overall success, Cenac noted. The current clinical trial – which includes 541 patients – is the largest, completed, prospective randomized controlled study of its kind in the cervical spine.
Tri-parish resident Kristi Porretto was Cenac’s first local patient to undergo the procedure.
“This procedure was a good thing. After surgery I woke up with no arm pain or numbness immediately and I am getting better every day,” she said.
“If I had this to do over again I would do it in a heartbeat. I regret that I waited so long to have the procedure done,” Porretto added.
Cenac said the procedure is an excellent option for young to middle-aged people looking to avoid a fusion. “The benefits for the patient include quicker recovery, preservation of motion, and better long term health to the spine,” he said.
Patients are carefully screened to determine the extent of their spinal problems and whether or not the surgery is a viable option, Cenac said.
Dr. Chris Cenac Jr., an orthopedic spine surgeon, discusses the Prestige Cervical Disc to patient Kristi Porretto prior to her recent operation at Terrebonne General Medical Center. * Photo courtesy of TERREBONNE GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER
