Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Application 1090

Artificial Intervertebral Disc Replacement (AIDR)

Application No.

1090

Application NameArtificial Intervertebral Disc Replacement (AIDR)
Advisory PanelsProfessor Ken Thomson
(Chair and MSAC Member)
Mrs Sheila Rimmer
(MSAC Member)
Dr Peter Lowthian
(co-opted Rheumatologist)
Associate Leslie Barnsley
(Australian Rheumatology Association nominee)
Dr George Potter
(co-opted member orthopaedic surgery)
Professor Bryant Stokes
(co-opted member neurology)
Dr Myron Rogers
(Royal Australian College of Surgeons nominee)
Dr Mark Davies
(Royal Australian College of Surgeons nominee)
Ms Rebecca Coghlan
(Consumers' Health Forum of Australia nominee)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat15 December 2003
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 28 February 2006 meeting.

On the basis of currently available evidence regarding safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, the MSAC recommends interim funding for single level AIDR in patients with single level intra lumbar disc disease in the absence of osteoporosis and prior fusion at the same level, who have failed consecutive therapy. The MSAC will review this recommendation in three years.

In the absence of adequate evidence of effectiveness, the MSAC recommends that public funding for AIDR in the cervical spine should not be supported.
Stage 4 - DecisionEndorsed by the Minister for Health and Ageing on 6 June 2006
Stage 5 - ImplementationImplemented
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Page currency, Latest update: 09 July, 2009