ABSTRACT
[Objective]To explore the optimal time for the surgical operation on patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine. [Methods]The clinical symptoms,the persistent time of the symptoms and the interval from exacerbation to operation in 168 patients with OPLL were analyzed.[Results]The average time was 27.6 months from the onset of myelopathy to the operation on patients with OPLL,and 17.4 months from the decrease of muscle strength in extremities to the operation,and 5.3 months from the symptomatic exacerbation of the extremities especially the decrease of muscle strength in lower extremities to the operation.[Conclusion]The patient should be treated earlier by surgical operation after his/her illness has been diagnozed as OPLL.It is the optimal time for surgical operation when the patient has imaging change of hypertrophy or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and severe compression of spinal cord(more than 60% spinal canal stenosis),or the decrease of muscle strength in extremities especially in lower extremities.