锚定钉在多节段脊髓型颈椎病单开门椎管扩大术中的应用

目的:探讨锚定钉在颈椎单开门椎管扩大术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病中的临床应用价值。方法:2009年1月～2011年1月,采用颈椎单开门椎管扩大术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病25例,男21例,女4例。年龄35～78岁,平均63.5岁。病程1.6～18年,平均3.6年。3节段18例,4节段7例。20例合并发育性或退变性颈椎管狭窄,均有颈脊髓受压症状,JOA评分3～11分,平均6.7±2.2分。均行颈椎单开门椎管扩大术,开门节段均为C3～C7,均采用锚定钉固定,固定节段为C3、C5、C7。结果 :锚定钉均顺利置入,手术时间60～100min,平均75min。术中出血100～500ml,平均200ml,无脊髓损伤、脑脊液漏、硬膜外血肿等并发症发生。1例术后有颈肩部疼痛,给予对症处理2个月后疼痛消失。术后随访0.5～2.5年,平均1.9年,末次随访时JOA评分10～16分,平均13.8±1.4分,与术前比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),平均改善率为(68.1±7.5)%,优良率为88%。X线片检查显示颈椎曲度基本正常,椎管中矢状径与椎体中矢状径比值平均为1.2,锚钉无松动,无颈椎不稳及关门。结论:在颈椎单开门椎管扩大术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病时应用锚定钉固定开窗椎板方法简单可靠,可避免"关门",临床疗效满意。     

Overactive bladder in cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Background

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a new disease concept defined by the International Continence Society in 2002. There have been no reports of OAB among patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy assessed on the basis of symptom questionnaires.

Methods

One-hundred-and-six patients diagnosed with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and treated by use of laminoplasty were examined. The patients were classified into two groups, those identified as having OAB (OAB group) and those identified as not having OAB (non-OAB group), by use of the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score collected before and 1 year after surgery. The clinical results for the two groups were assessed. OAB symptom prevalence and post-operative symptom improvement were investigated 1 year postoperatively.

Results

Of the 106 patients, 50 were identified as having OAB (symptom prevalence 47.2 %). Of these 50 patients, symptom improvement was observed for only 14 (28 %) 1 year after surgery. For both groups good improvement on the basis of the Japanese Orthopedic Association score was observed 1 year postoperatively, but there were no significant differences between them.

Conclusions

Post-operative improvement of OAB symptoms in cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients was low, which indicated that OAB was most frequently attributable to non-neurogenic and idiopathic, but not neurogenic, causes. It is considered necessary to tell patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy that the possibility of post-operative OAB symptom improvement is not high when the explanation for informed consent is given before the operation.     

Laminoplasty versus skip laminectomy for the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a systematic review

Introduction

Laminoplasty and skip laminectomy are two specific posterior surgical approaches for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review comparing the clinical results and complications of laminoplasty and skip laminectomy in the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Materials and methods

We reviewed and analyzed papers published from January 1969 to December 2012 through the Mediline, Embase, Cochrane review library, and other databases regarding the comparison between laminoplasty and skip laminectomy for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Results

One randomized controlled trial and three non-randomized controlled trials were included in this systematic review. In three studies, the preoperative and postoperative JOA score was similar in both laminoplasty and skip laminectomy groups. In addition, for recovery rate, there was no significant difference between the groups. One study reported that, regarding SF12 scores, there was no significant difference in physical health and mental health after surgery. However, regarding cervical pain, the skip laminectomy group was better than the laminoplasty group significantly. No difference was presented in postoperative ROM and the cervical lordosis between the groups. But the ROM % (post/pre) was reported to be significantly better in the skip laminectomy group in three studies. Less blood loss and shorter operation time were observed in skip laminectomy rather than laminoplasty.

Conclusions

Based on the results above, the skip laminectomy group presented better outcomes in a variety of aspects: ROM % (post/pre), complication rate, surgical trauma, etc. However, as limited study samples were included in the paper, a claim of superiority of the two approaches could not be justified. Further studies are required on the comparison between laminoplasty and skip laminectomy.     

Long-term follow-up results of the Cloward procedure for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Purpose

To assess the long-term results of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using the Cloward procedure for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and to identify possible clinical outcome predictors.

Methods

A total of 14 cases with a 10-year postoperative follow-up were available (82.4 % of the surviving patients). Patients underwent preoperative and postoperative neurological examination. The symptom severity was graded according to the Nurick scale. MRI measurements were obtained preoperatively. Cervical spine radiographs were obtained preoperatively and at the time of follow-up.

Results

The mean improvement of the clinical status of patients on the Nurick scale was 1.43 ± 0.51 (range 1–2) with respect to the baseline values (p < 0.001), with a 62.5 % recovery rate. A positive association between the improvement of the Nurick scale and the length of follow-up was detected with an age-adjusted univariate analysis (p = 0.042). The Nurick grade improvement was also directly related to preoperative lower limb hyperreflexia (p = 0.039), spasticity (p = 0.017), and bladder dysfunction (p = 0.048). At the time of follow-up, an adjacent discopathy was noted above and below the operated level(s) in eight and six patients, respectively.

Conclusions

The Cloward technique is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The patients’ preoperative neurological status and the length of follow-up affect the grade of postoperative ambulatory improvement.     

Functional outcome of corpectomy in cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Background:

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is serious consequence of cervical intervertebral disk degeneration. Morbidity ranges from chronic neck pain, radicular pain, headache, myelopathy leading to weakness, and impaired fine motor coordination to quadriparesis and/or sphincter dysfunction. Surgical treatment remains the mainstay of treatment once myelopathy develops. Compared to more conventional surgical techniques for spinal cord decompression, such as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, laminectomy, and laminoplasty, patients treated with corpectomy have better neurological recovery, less axial neck pain, and lower incidences of postoperative loss of sagittal plane alignment. The objective of this study was to analyze the outcome of corpectomy in cervical spondylotic myelopathy, to assess their improvement of symptoms, and to highlight complications of the procedure.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-four patients underwent cervical corpectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy during June 1999 to July 2005.The anterior approach was used. Each patient was graded according to the Nuricks Grade (1972) and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) Scale (1991), and the recovery rate was calculated.

Results:

Preoperative patients had a mean Nurick''s grade of 3.83, which was 1.67 postoperatively. Preoperative patients had a mean mJOA score of 9.67, whereas postoperatively it was 14.50. The mean recovery rate of patients postoperatively was 62.35% at a mean follow-up of 1 year (range, 8 months to 5 years).The complications included one case (4.17%) of radiculopathy, two cases (8.33%) of graft displacement, and two cases (8.33%) of screw back out/failure.

Conclusions:

Cervical corpectomy is a reliable and rewarding procedure for CSM, with functional improvement in most patients.     

颈椎后路单、双开门椎管成形术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的临床比较

目的分析比较颈椎后路单、双开门椎管成形术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的临床效果。方法回顾2003-09-2009-06收治的50例多节段脊髓型颈椎病患者,其中28例行颈椎后路单开门椎管成形术,作为A组;22例行颈椎后路双开门椎管成形术,作为B组。对两组患者术前及术后2年的JOA评分改善率、轴性症状严重程度、颈椎活动度进行评估比较。结果 JOA评分改善率A组(52.0±21.4)%,B组为(52.7±19.8)%,两组差异无统计学意义(P=0.970>0.05)。A组术后有明显轴性症状患者的比例为42.9%,B组为36.4%,组间比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.642>0.05)。颈椎活动度A组平均丢失3.9°,B组平均丢失3.6°,两组差异无统计学意义(P=0.492>0.05)。结论颈椎后路双开门椎管成形术比单开门椎管成形术的轴性症状发生率及颈椎活动丢失率更低。但两者间的差异无统计学意义。术者可以根据不同的适应证及术者自身的熟练程度来采用不同开门方法。     

锚定法改良单开门颈椎管成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病

目的探讨锚定法改良单开门颈椎管成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的疗效。方法应用锚定法改良单开门颈椎管成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病15例。结果15例均获得随访,时间5~18个月。采用JOA进行评分,术后改善率为78.6%。影像学检查15例,颈椎生理曲度基本正常,未见再关门现象。2例颈部轻度僵硬和活动受限。结论锚定法改良单开门颈椎管成形术可避免再关门,减少术后颈部僵硬、疼痛。可早期进行功能练习。     

单开门颈椎管成形联合单侧侧块固定术治疗颈椎伤病

目的探讨单开门颈椎管扩大成形单侧侧块内固定联合植骨术治疗颈椎伤病的可行性和疗效。方法利用单开门颈椎管扩大成形单侧侧块内固定联合植骨术治疗颈椎伤病患者16例,手术减压节段包括C3~53个节段2例,C3~64个节段5例,C3~75个节段9例。手术方式均采用单开门颈椎管扩大成形,门轴侧行侧块螺钉钢板内固定,并大量植骨。结果术中及术后均未发生脊髓、神经根及血管副损伤。全部患者平均随访18个月,术后3个月时JOA评分从术前的7.9分提高到13.1分。随访期间未见内固定物移位断裂及椎板再关门现象,门轴侧骨折处骨质融合。结论单开门颈椎管扩大成形单侧侧块内固定联合植骨术治疗颈椎伤病疗效安全可靠,经济实用,在椎管扩大成形获得即刻稳定的同时,提高植骨融合率,减少后凸畸形及失稳的发生率,减少椎板再关门现象。     

颈椎后路椎管扩大成形加短节段固定手术疗效及影响因素分析

目的探讨颈椎后路椎管扩大成形加短节段固定手术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的疗效及影响因素。方法 2006-08-2008-06因脊髓型颈椎病行颈椎后路单开门椎管扩大成形加颈椎侧块钉棒系统固定融合术的患者21例,将患者的年龄、病程、术前椎管矢状径值、骨性椎管扩大率、脊髓后移距离、术前JOA评分诸影响因素与JOA改善率进行多元逐步回归分析,分析JOA改善率与上述诸因素的相关性。结果术前JOA评分、病程与JOA改善率明确相关,有显著性统计学意义。病程与JOA改善率呈明显负相关,术前JOA评分与JOA改善率呈明显正相关。结论颈椎后路单开门椎管扩大成形加颈椎侧块钉棒系统固定融合术是治疗脊髓型颈椎病的有效方法;术前JOA评分和病程是决定脊髓型颈椎病预后的重要因素,是判断预后的重要指标,两者相比,术前JOA评分更重要。     

Results of surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy in patients aged 75 years or more: a comparative study of operative methods

Introduction

The number of surgical procedures in elderly patients has been increasing as the population has grown older; recently, spine surgeons have been more likely to encounter elderly patients with cervical myelopathy in need of surgical treatment. There are many reports about surgical treatment of elderly patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM); however, there are no studies about the proper selection of surgical methods and comparison of their results in CSM patients aged ≥75 years. The objective of this study was to review the results of operative methods in CSM patients aged ≥75 years.

Methods

Forty-three consecutive cases with an average age of 79 years that underwent surgical treatment were included in this study. The neurological severity was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score for cervical myelopathy (JOA). The JOA scores were evaluated before surgery and at final follow-up. There were 21 laminoplasty procedures (from C3 to C7), 13 selective laminoplasty procedures (one above and one below the affected intervertebral level), and nine anterior decompression and fusion procedures. A selective laminoplasty was performed in cases with general complications and was diagnosed as one intervertebral level both clinically and electrophysiologically. Surgical results were compared among the three treatment groups.

Results

The average preoperative JOA score was 7.7 points and the average JOA recovery rate was 45 %. There were three cases of C5 palsy and one wound infection. Operative time and intraoperative bleeding in the selective laminoplasty group were significantly smaller than those in the other groups. There was no significant difference in the JOA recovery rates among the groups.

Conclusions

Selective laminoplasty is less invasive and the surgical results in our study were almost good. It also has good short-term results. However, the indication for surgery has to be selected carefully in elderly CSM patients.     

颈后路单开门椎管成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病

目的:观察颈后路单开门椎管扩大成形术对颈椎管狭窄合并钳夹型脊髓型颈椎病的临床效果和可行性。方法:采用颈后路椎管扩大成形术治疗颈椎管狭窄合并钳夹型脊髓型颈椎病30例,男19例,女11例,常规C3-C7减压,棘突打孔10号线固定在门轴侧侧块关节囊上12例,门轴侧C3、C5、C7侧块螺钉固定悬吊椎板18例,术前和术后通过日本骨科学会JOA评分(17分法)评估临床疗效。结果:30例均获得随访,随访时间6～76个月,平均25个月。按照JOA评分:优8例,良14例,可6例,差2例,优良率73.33%(22/30)。其中3例术后3个月内发生C4或C5神经根麻痹,经保守治疗痊愈。2例在2年内因疗效不佳再行前路手术。结论:颈后路单开门椎管扩大成形术治疗颈椎管狭窄合并钳夹型脊髓型颈椎病是一种简单、有效可行的方法,尤其适应于老年人。     

T-Saw laminoplasty for the management of cervical spondylotic myelopathy: clinical and radiographic outcome

STUDY DESIGN: Independent evaluation of 18 patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent threadwire T-saw laminoplasty. OBJECTIVES: Assess the efficacy of midline T-saw laminoplasty in non-Japanese patients based on clinical and radiographic criteria. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinous process-splitting laminoplasty has been well accepted in Japan. The results in non-Japanese patients are unknown. METHODS: A single physician performed independent clinical and radiographic evaluations at latest follow-up (mean, 24 months). In addition to a patient self-assessment questionnaire, objective measures included physical examination, Pavlov's ratio, sagittal canal diameter (by computed tomography), cord compression index, cervical lordosis, range of motion, and complications. RESULTS: Progression of myelopathy was arrested in all patients. Patients reported improvement in strength (78%), dexterity (67%), numbness (83%), pain (83%), and gait (67%). Bowel and bladder compromise resolved in five of six patients. The mean Nurick score improved from 2.7 to 0.9 (P < 0.001), and the mean Robinson pain score improved from 2.0 to 0.89 (P = 0.002). No patient required narcotic analgesics at latest follow-up compared with eight before laminoplasty. Objectively, 68% of patients with motor weakness regained normal strength (P = 0.001), whereas 50% regained normal sensation (P = 0.003). Radiographic canal expansion was verified by a statistically significant increase in the mean Pavlov ratio and osseous sagittal computed tomographic measurements. The mean cord compression index improved from 0.49 to 0.61 (P = 0.01). There was no significant change in mean cervical lordosis. Graft dislodgment or segmental instability did not occur. Complications included: infection (n = 1) and persistent postoperative motor root lesion at C5 (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: T-saw laminoplasty appears to be a safe and effective method of arresting the progression of myelopathy and allowing marked functional improvement in most patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. [Key Words: cervical spine, decompression, laminoplasty, myelopathy, spondylosis]     

Long-term results of double-door laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of the long-term results from double-door laminoplasty (Kurokawa's method) for patients with myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and cervical spondylosis was performed. OBJECTIVE: To know whether the short-term results from double-door laminoplasty were maintained over a 10-year period and, if not, the cause of late deterioration. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are few long-term follow-up studies on the outcome of laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy. METHODS: In this study, 35 patients with cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine and 25 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, including 5 patients with athetoid cerebral palsy, underwent double-door laminoplasty from 1980 through 1988 and were followed over the next 10 years. The average follow-up period was 153 months (range, 120-200 months) in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and 156 months (range, 121-218 months) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Neurologic deficits before and after surgery were assessed using a scoring system proposed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA score). Patients who showed late deterioration received further examination including computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine. RESULTS: In 32 of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and 23 of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, myelopathy improved after surgery. The improvement of Japanese Orthopedic Association scores was maintained up to the final follow-up assessment in 26 of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and 21 of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Late neurologic deterioration occurred in 10 of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament an average of 8 years after surgery, and in 4 of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, including the 3 patients with athetoid cerebral palsy, an average of 11 years after surgery. The main causes of deterioration in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were a minor trauma in patients with residual cervical cord compression caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and thoracic myelopathy resulting from ossification of the yellow ligament in the thoracic spine. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term results of laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy were maintained over 10years in 78% of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, and in most of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, except those with athetoid cerebral palsy. Double-door laminoplasty is a reliable procedure for individuals with cervical stenotic myelopathy.     

脊髓型颈椎病前路手术的神经学评价和疗效影响因素

[目的]探讨脊髓型颈椎病神经学评价标准和疗效影响因素。[方法]对21例脊髓型颈椎病的患者术前和术后实施Nurick分级法、JOA评分以及我国的40分评估法，并评价各种方法的优缺点。对影响神经学功能恢复的可能因素加以分析。[结果]平均随访11个月，术后Nurick颈椎病脊髓功能分型提高2～3级。JOA评分提高1～6分；我国的40分法提高7—12分。影响脊髓型颈椎病的手术技术因素有：椎体后缘骨赘切除不全、颈椎生理弧度恢复不良、椎体高度撑开不足或术后的过度丢失。[结论]Nurick分类允许更严格的比较，对某些脊髓病并不适合；JOA评分方法简便、有效，能较为全面地反映脊髓型颈椎病脊髓功能的改变；40分评定方法评价较为客观，但较为繁琐。椎体后缘骨赘切除不全和椎体高度撑开不足与手术疗效关系最为密切。     

“锚定法”改良单开门椎板成形术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病

目的评价“锚定法”改良单开门椎板成形术治疗多节段脊髓型脊椎病的疗效。方法我科在2003年1月～2007年2月收治78例多节段脊髓型颈椎病,采用后正中入路单开门椎板成形术进行回顾性分析。结果78例患者获得随访1～5年,平均2．6年。术前平均JOA评分8．9分。随访时JOA平均评分15．8,平均改善率为69％。术后侧位X线片示椎管直径扩大1．8～7．6mm,平均4．7mm,椎管扩大率为16％～100％,平均45％;MR示脊髓解除压迫。术后末次随访时35例仍然有颈部疼痛、僵硬感和活动受限。未见螺钉松动和再“关门”现象。结论“锚定法”改良单开门椎板成形术是治疗多节段脊髓型脊椎病安全有效的手术方法,并使椎管扩大保持稳定持久。     

人工颈椎间盘置换术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的临床观察

[目的]研究确定颈椎人工椎间盘置换术对脊髓型颈椎病的治疗效果。[方法]对2004年1月．2005年8月间于本院行颈椎人工间盘置换术的12例脊髓型颈椎病患者手术前后的Nurick分级，ONDI评分、颈项和上肢疼痛VAS评分进行比较评估，并采用Odom标准评价手术效果。[结果]本组患者术后Odom优良率达100％，术后Nurick分级、ONDI评分、颈项疼痛VAS评分、上肢疼痛VAS评分均较术前有显著意义的提升（P〈0．01）。[结论]对于1～2个节段的脊髓型颈椎病，颈椎人工椎间盘置换术在维持节段运动功能的同时可取得良好的神经减压效果。     

单开门椎管扩大成形Centerpiece钛板固定术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的临床应用

目的评价单开门颈椎管扩大成形Centerpiece钛板固定术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的临床应用价值。方法 39例多节段脊髓型颈椎病患者随机分为Centerpiece钛板组(18例)及传统组(21例),治疗前后行JOA评分,比较治疗后神经功能改善率、椎管扩大率、并发症发生率。结果前两组年龄、JOA评分均无显著性差异;两组手术时间分别为(109±25)min和(111±23)min,无显著性差异(P>0.05);Centerpiece钛板组椎管扩大率(61%±21%)明显高于传统组(40%±17%)(P<0.05)。术后3个月、12个月两组JOA评分均显著高于术前,但术后3个月两组间JOA评分无显著性差异(P>0.05),术后12个月Centerpiece钛板组JOA评分明显高于传统组(P<0.05)。术后3～6个月进行CT示门轴侧沟槽达到骨性融合。两组均未发生再关门现象;Centerpiece钛板组并发症发生率显著低于传统组(P<0.05)。结论单开门椎管扩大成形Centerpiece钛板固定术是一种安全有效、操作简单、疗效显著、并发症少的新术式。     

Open-door laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: good outcome in 12 patients using suture anchor fixation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In the classic Hirabayashi procedure, the lamina door is tethered open by sutures between the spinous process and facet capsule or para-vertebral muscle. Our early experiences showed, however, that the loosened sutures result in dislodgement and reclosure of the lifted lamina. We present a modified method to ensure secure fixation and prevent restenosis due to hinge closure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 12 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent unilateral open-door laminoplasty using suture anchor fixation between 2000 and 2004. The sutures were tied and fixed onto the holed lateral mass screws, instead of using the conventional suture technique. We used radiography, MRI, and CT for imaging studies. The Nurick score was used to assess severity of myelopathy, and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was used to evaluate clinical outcomes before surgery and at the last follow-up visit. RESULTS: All patients experienced functional improvement of at least 1 Nurick score after surgery. The JOA score for the 12 patients increased significantly from 6.9 (SD 3.0) before surgery to 13 (SD 1.6) at final follow-up. Postoperative radiography and CT showed increased sagittal diameter and canal expansion. Average preoperative and postoperative ranges of motion for the cervical spine were 48 (SD 4.6) and 36 (SD 2.7), respectively. No neurological deterioration due to hinge reclosure and no major surgery-related complications were observed during the follow-up period. INTERPRETATION: Open-door laminoplasty using suture anchor fixation effectively maintains expansion of the spinal canal and resists closure while preserving alignment and flexibility. This modified technique is easy to use, has a low complication rate, and provides marked functional improvement for patients with cervical spondylolytic myelopathy.     

Laminoplasty--the surgical treatment of the cervical spondylotic radiculopathy

The present surgical treatment of the cervical spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy consist in cervical laminoplasty. The cervical laminoplasty has many variants since it was first proposed in the 1968's. It is presented a variant simplified of the Hirabayashi's technique of laminoplasty, used to the patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy and it is proposed a technique of "bilateral laminoplasty" using iliac bone graft stabilized with transfixed wire. This technique is simple and permits a bilateral nerve roots decompression.     

Usefulness of QuickDASH in patients with cervical laminoplasty

Purpose

Clumsiness and numbness of the upper extremity is one of the most common complaints of patients with cervical myelopathy. However, most previous evaluations after cervical laminoplasty have only been based on physicians’ points of view. We used Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) self-report questionnaire, which was designed to measure physical function and symptoms in people with upper-limb disorders to evaluate functional outcomes after laminoplasty.

Methods

Ninety-four patients who underwent laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy and replied to the questionnaire were included in this study. The average age was 62 years, and mean follow-up period was 61 months. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Short-Form Health Questionnaire of 36 questions (physical component score, PCS), upper-extremity pain (Numerical Rating Scale), and QuickDASH (0–100, 0 being least severe) were used to evaluate surgical outcomes. Satisfaction with treatment was also investigated, and internal consistency and criterion-related validity were evaluated. The QuickDASH cutoff value for patient satisfaction was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis.

Results

The mean total JOA scores were 10 before and 13 after surgery, and average postoperative QuickDASH score was 30. Cronbach α of the QuickDASH was 0.94. QuickDASH was significantly correlated with JOA score for upper-extremity motor and sensation, NDI, PCS, and pain. Cutoff value of the QuickDASH was 34.0 by ROC analysis. Significantly better QuickDASH scores were found for patients who were satisfied with treatment than for those who were not, whereas JOA score for upper-extremity motor function did not show a significant difference.

Discussion

QuickDASH had significant correlations with disease-specific JOA scores and other generic outcome measures. Moreover, QuickDASH significantly reflected patients’ satisfaction with treatment, whereas the JOA score for upper-extremity motor function did not.

Conclusion

QuickDASH was useful in evaluating upper-extremity functional outcomes after cervical laminoplasty.