Neurological improvement is associated with neck pain attenuation after surgery for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 7;11(1):11910. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91268-2.

Abstract

Although favourable surgical outcomes for myelopathy caused by cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) have been reported, factors significantly associated with post-operative neck pain attenuation still remain unclear. The primary aim of the present study was to determine factors significantly associated with post-operative neck pain attenuation in patients with cervical OPLL using a prospective multi-centre registry of surgically treated cervical OPLL. Significant postoperative neck pain reduction (50% reduction of neck pain) was achieved in 31.3% of patients. There was no significant difference in neck pain attenuation between surgical procedures. Statistical analyses with univariate analyses followed by stepwise logistic regression revealed neurological recovery as a factor having a significant positive association with post-operative neck pain attenuation (p = 0.04, odds ratio 5.68 (95% confidence interval: 1.27-22.2)). In conclusion, neurological recovery was an independent factor having a significant positive association with post-operative neck pain attenuation in patients with cervical myelopathy caused by OPLL who underwent cervical spine surgery.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cervical Vertebrae / physiopathology
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Pain / physiopathology
  • Neck Pain / prevention & control*
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / physiopathology
  • Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / surgery*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome