Cervical disc arthroplasty in Australia: An epidemiological study.

INTRODUCTION

Favorable clinical outcomes have been reported for cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA), particularly in preserving motion and reducing adjacent segment disease compared with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. However, evidence on the uptake of CDA in clinical practice remains limited. This study aimed to analyze Australian population trends in CDA over the past 6 years.

METHODS

The 6-year incidence of CDA in adult patients from 2019 to 2024 was analyzed using the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) database. Data were stratified by sex and year, with population adjustments to account for demographic changes over the study period.

RESULTS

A total of 4216 CDA procedures were performed in Australia under the MBS over the 6-year period. The annual mean case volume was 702.7 cases. Procedure volumes remained relatively stable from 2019 to 2021, with a reduction in case numbers thereafter. The highest concentration of procedures occurred in the 35-54 (62.28%) age group (P < 0.001). The distribution across sex was similar, with 2147 cases (50.93%) in males and 2069 cases (49.07%) in females.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is growing evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of CDA, its utilization in Australia has remained stable over the past 6 years, with the highest uptake among young to middle-aged patients. Further analysis of utilization trends may help identify factors influencing adoption and guide future surgical practice.