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STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to explore the effect of preoperative cervical spondylosis on the heterotopic ossification (HO) formation in different locations after cervical disc replacement (CDR). METHODS The degree of preoperative cervical spondylosis was evaluated radiologically, including the intervertebral disc, uncovertebral joints, facet joints and ligaments. The effects of cervical spondylosis on the HO formation after CDR were analyzed according to the location of HO. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the independent factors. RESULTS 149 patients with a total of 196 arthroplasty segments were involved in this study. HO, anterior HO (AHO), and posterior HO (PHO) developed in 59.69%, 22.96%, and 41.84% levels, respectively. The significant factors in univariate analysis for PHO after CDR included the disc height loss, anterior osteophytes, preoperative uncovertebral joint osteophytes and facet joint degeneration. The incidence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) was significantly higher in the PHO group compared to that without PHO at the last follow-up (P = .003). The disc height loss in high-grade HO was significantly more than that in low-grade group (P = .039). Multivariate analysis identified disc height loss was the only independent factor for PHO (P = .009). No significant degenerative factors related to the formation of AHO were found. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative cervical spondylosis predominantly affected the HO formation in the posterior disc space after CDR. The disc height loss was an independent risk factor for PHO formation. Rigorous criteria for the extent of preoperative disc height loss should be used when selecting appropriate candidates for CDR.