Screw-Integrated vs Traditional Cervical Cages in ACDF for Degenerative Disc Disease (NCT07430163) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Screw-Integrated vs Traditional Cervical Cages in ACDF for Degenerative Disc Disease
40 participantsStarted 2026-03-15
Plain-language summary
This study is a prospective, comparative clinical trial conducted at Assiut University Hospitals to evaluate the effectiveness of two different interbody fusion devices in patients with Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease (CDDD). The primary objective is to compare cervical cages with integrated screws against traditional stand-alone cervical cages during single or double-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF). While ACDF is the gold standard for CDDD, traditional cages can sometimes lead to complications like subsidence or incomplete fusion; integrated screw designs aim to provide immediate stability and reduce these risks.
Investigators will assess 40 patients over a 12-month follow-up period, focusing on primary outcomes of radiological interbody fusion using the Daniel Riew grading system.
Secondary outcomes include the maintenance of cervical alignment (Ishihara Index), change in segmental angles (Cobb's method), disc height restoration, and clinical improvements in pain and function measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI). The study's rationale is to provide clearer evidence on whether screw-integrated cages offer superior radiological and clinical outcomes to help guide future surgical preferences
Who can participate
Age range
19 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients aged above 18 years old.
* Clinical diagnosis of cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD).
* Single or double level cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD) confirmed by MRI
* Failure of conservative treatment for at least 6 weeks.
* Patients indicated for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF).
* Availability of complete preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiological data.
* Willing and able to provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous cervical spine surgery.
* Mutli-level (more than double level) cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD).
* Significant cervical instability requiring additional posterior fixation
* Cervical trauma, fracture, or spinal infection.
* Cervical tumors or inflammatory spinal disease.
* Severe cervical deformity (fixed kyphosis)
* Osteoporosis or metabolic bone disease.
* Pregnancy
* Psychiatric illness or substance abuse that would compromise follow-up
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.