Management Of Spondylotic Myelopathy Research Articles

Clinical report of cervical arthroplasty in management of spondylotic myelopathy in Chinese.

ObjectivesTo investigate clinical effects and manual operational point of Bryan cervical disc prosthesis in Chinese, to observe the stability and range of movement (ROM) post-operatively.Methods and materialsFrom 2003,12 to 2005,12, Bryan disc prosthesis replacement applied in 83 cases (102 levels) of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) after anterior decompression in our hospital. Clinical (JOA grade and Odom's scale) and radiological (X-ray of flexion, extension; left and right bending position) follow-up was performed. Systemic radiographic study about stability and ROM of replaced level post operationally were measured. CT or MRI scans were applied in all cases to evaluate the signs of the prosthesis deflexion and hetero-ossification in the replaced levels.ResultsAt least 12 months follow-up were done in 65/83 of these paients. All of 83 patients were improved according to Odsm's scale. JOA score increased from average 8.7 to 15.5. There was no prosthesis subsidence. Replaced segment achieved stability and restored partial of normal ROM 4.73°(3.7°–5.9°) early postoperation and 8.12°(5.8°–13.6°) more than 12 months postoperation in flex and extension position. No obvious loss of lordosis was found. CT or MRI follow-up shows position deflexion of the prosthesis metal endplates (<1.5 mm) in 14/77 levels and (1.5~3 mm) in 4/77. heter-ossification was found in the replaced levels only in 2 cases.ConclusionByran cervical disc prosthesis restored motion to the level of the intact segment in flexion-extension and lateral bending in post-operative images. At the same time, it can achieve good anterior decompression treatment effect and immediate stability in replaced 1 or 2 levels, and which is a new choice for the treatment of CSM.

Cervical arthroplasty in the management of spondylotic myelopathy: 18-month results

Cervical spinal cord compression managed via an anterior approach with an arthrodesis may be associated with a decreased range of motion and accelerated adjacent-segment degeneration. Artificial cervical disc replacement may address these problems. The author presents a series of 11 patients (seven men and four women, ages 31-55 years) with anterior cervical decompression and placement of a total of 15 artificial disc prostheses. Clinical and radiological follow-up review was performed at 24 hours, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and then yearly (mean follow-up period 18.4 months, range 10-32 months). There were no major complications. There was an improvement in the Nurick grade by 0.91 grades (p < 0.001) and in the Oswestry Neck Disability Index by 41.5 percentage points (p < 0.001). In one case fusion was attained at 17 months postoperatively and one patient had a transient worsening of preoperative symptoms postoperatively, with focal kyphosis. The spinal cord was decompressed on postoperative imaging in all cases. Cervical arthroplasty after anterior cervical decompression at one or more levels represents an exciting tool in the management of spinal cord compression caused by spondylotic disease or acute disc prolapse. Results obtained in this study add further weight to the potential role of cervical arthroplasty for cervical myelopathy and longer follow up is provided on a previously reported series. It is suggested that care must be taken in using this unconstrained prosthesis if there is a preexisting spinal deformity. Longer follow up will reveal any delayed problems with artificial disc implantation, but in the short to medium term, this technique offers an excellent outcome.

Cervical Arthroplasty in the Management of Spondylotic Myelopathy

Cervical spinal cord compression managed via an anterior approach with an arthrodesis is associated with a decreased range of motion and accelerated adjacent segment degeneration. Artificial cervical disc replacement may address these problems. A series of seven cases (three women, two men; age 31–55 years) of anterior cervical decompression and placement of an artificial disc prosthesis is presented. A total of nine Bryan cervical disc prostheses (Spinal Dynamics Corp., Mercer Island, WA) were placed. Clinical and radiologic follow-up was performed at 24 hours, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and then yearly (mean follow-up period 6.29 months, range 1–17 months). There were no complications. There was an improvement in Nurick grade by 0.72 grade (P < 0.05) and Oswestry Neck Disability Index score by 51.4 points (P < 0.0001). Motion was preserved. Improvement in lordosis occurred in 29% of cases. The spinal cord was decompressed on postoperative imaging. Cervical arthroplasty after anterior cervical decompression at one or more levels represents an exciting tool in the management of spinal cord compression secondary to spondylotic disease or acute disc prolapse. This is the first study that looks specifically at cervical arthroplasty for cervical myelopathy. Longer follow-up will reveal any delayed problems with artificial disc implantation, but in the short term, this technique offers an excellent outcome.