Correlation of Clinical and Radiological Outcome After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion With a Polyetheretherketone Cage.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage is considered as the gold standard for patients with cervical disc disease. However, there are limited in vivo data on the impact of ACDF on the cervical kinematics and its association with patient-reported clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of altered cervical sagittal alignment (cervical lordosis) and sagittal range of motion (ROM) on patients' self-reported pain and functional disability, after ACDF with a PEEK cage. METHODS: We prospectively studied 74 patients, who underwent single-, or consecutive two-level ACDF with a PEEK interbody cage. The clinical outcomes were assessed by using the pain numeric rating scale (NRS) and the neck disability index (NDI). Radiological outcomes included cervical lordosis and C2-C7 sagittal ROM. The outcome measures were collected preoperatively, at the day of patients' hospital discharge, and also at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction of the NRS and NDI scores postoperatively at each time point (P < 0.005). Cervical lordosis and also ROM significantly reduced until the last follow-up (P < 0.005). There was significant positive correlation between NRS and NDI preoperatively, as well as at 6 and 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.005). In regard to the ROM and the NDI scores, there was no correlation preoperatively (P = 0.199) or postoperatively (6 months, P = 0.322; 12 months, P = 0.476). Additionally, there was no preoperative (P = 0.134) or postoperative (6 months, P = 0.772; 12 months, P = 0.335) correlation between the NDI scores and cervical lordosis. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, reduction of cervical lordosis and sagittal ROM did not appear to significantly influence on patients' self-reported disability. Such findings further highlight the greater role of pain level over the mechanical limitations of ACDF with a PEEK cage on patients' own perceived recovery.

The Role of Gait Analysis in the Evaluation of Patients with Cervical Myelopathy: A Literature Review Study.

BACKGROUND: Gait analysis represents one of the newest methodologies used in the clinical evaluation of patients with cervical myelopathy (CM). OBJECTIVE: To describe the role of gait analysis in the clinical evaluation of patients with CM, as well as its potential role in the evaluation of the functional outcome of any surgical intervention. METHODS: A literature review was performed in the PubMed, OVID, and Google Scholar medical databases, from January 1995 to August 2016, using the terms "analysis," "anterior," "cervical myelopathy," "gait," "posterior," and "surgery." Clinical series comparing the gait patterns of patients with CM with healthy controls, as well as series evaluating gait and walk changes before and after surgical decompression, were reviewed. Case studies were excluded. RESULTS: Nine prospective and 3 retrospective studies were found. Most of the retrieved studies showed the presence of characteristic, abnormal gait patterns among patients with CM, consisting of decreased gait speed, cadence, step length, stride length, and single-limb support time. In addition, patients with CM routinely present increased step and stride time, double-limb support time, and step width, and they have altered knee and ankle joint range of motion, compared with healthy controls. Moreover, gait and walk analysis may provide accurate functional assessment of the functional outcome of patients with CM undergoing surgical decompression. CONCLUSIONS: Gait analysis may well be a valuable and objective tool along with other parameters in the evaluation of functionality in patients with CM, as well as in the assessment of the outcome of any surgical intervention in these patients.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Practice Patterns Among Greek Spinal Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: A web-based survey was conducted among Greek spinal surgeons to outline the current practice trends in regard to the surgical management of patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for degenerative cervical spine pathology. Various practice patterns exist in the surgical management of patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy for degenerative pathology. No consensus exists regarding the type of the employed graft, the necessity of implanting a plate, the prescription of an external orthotic device, and the length of the leave of absence in these patients. METHODS: A specially designed questionnaire was used for evaluating the criteria for surgical intervention, the frequency of fusion employment, the type of the graft, the frequency of plate implantation, the employment of an external spinal orthosis (ESO), the length of the leave of absence, and the prescription of postoperative physical therapy. Physicians' demographic factors were assessed including residency and spinal fellowship training, as well as type and length in practice. RESULTS: Eighty responses were received. Neurosurgeons represented 70%, and orthopedic surgeons represented 30%. The majority of the participants (91.3%) considered fusion necessary. Allograft was the preferred type of graft. Neurosurgeons used a plate in 42.9% of cases, whereas orthopedic surgeons in 100%. An ESO was recommended for 87.5% of patients without plates, and in 83.3% of patients with plates. The average duration of ESO usage was 4 weeks. Physical therapy was routinely prescribed postoperatively by 75% of the neurosurgeons, and by 83.3% of the orthopedic surgeons. The majority of the participants recommended 4 weeks leave of absence. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of participants considered ACDF a better treatment option than an ACD, and preferred an allograft. The majority of them employed a plate, prescribed an ESO postoperatively, and recommended physical therapy to their patients.