Whiplash remains a challenging condition because the pathology is undefined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response of chronic neck, shoulder and arm pain to decompression of the median nerve at the wrist and pronator teres level. In a prospective study of 150 cases following whiplash injury (108 carpal tunnel and 42 pronator teres syndrome) clinical symptoms were assessed by clinical, neurological, radiological and visual analogue scale. The pathophysiology of pain and effects of surgery have also been assessed by neuropeptide studies. Clinical and neurological examination revealed signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel and pronator teres syndrome along with severe neck, shoulder and arm pain. Local anesthetic infiltration around the median nerve at the wrist and forearm abolished the chronic neck and shoulder pain within 10mins of injection. This demonstrated the site of pathology and temporarily relieved upper limb symptoms and trapezius muscle spasm as well. Neurophysiological studies were always normal. Surgical intervention in successful cases cured chronic neck shoulder and arm pain with sensory and motor recovery. Also activities of daily life normalised permanently. The main neurotransmitter peptides Substance P and Calcitonin gene related peptide levels returned to control levels six weeks after surgery in successful cases (p< 0. 005 and p< 0. 05 respectively). This is the biochemical evidence of effect of surgery in relieving pain and neuroinflammatory process. Our study suggests that neck shoulder and arm pain following whiplash injury is caused by entrapment of the median nerve due to stretching. Surgical decompression of the carpal tunnel and pronator teres muscle yielded 93% and 80% good results respectively with the disappearance of chronic neck shoulder and arm pain. Consequently normalisation of daily activities were observed. Although mild hand symptoms caused by carpal tunnel syndrome have also been cured the primary aim of surgical intervention is to cure chronic neck shoulder and arm pain

Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the type of cervical disc herniation influences the severity of symptoms at the time of presentation, and the outcome after surgical treatment. Methods. The type and extent of disc herniation at the time of presentation in 108 patients who underwent anterior discectomy for cervical radiculopathy were analyzed on MRI, using a four-point scale. These were dichotomized into disc bulge and disc herniation groups. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain in the neck and arm at baseline and two years postoperatively. The perceived recovery was also assessed at this time. Results. At baseline, 46 patients had a disc bulge and 62 had a herniation. There was no significant difference in the mean NDI and SF-36 between the two groups at baseline. Those in the disc bulge group had a mean NDI of 44.6 (SD 15.2) compared with 43.8 (SD 16.0) in the herniation group (p = 0.799), and a mean SF-36 of 59.2 (SD 6.9) compared with 59.4 (SD 7.7) (p = 0.895). Likewise, there was no significant difference in the incidence of disabling arm pain in the disc bulge and herniation groups (84% vs 73%; p = 0.163), and no significant difference in the incidence of disabling neck pain in the two groups (70.5% (n = 31) vs 63% (n = 39); p = 0.491). At two years after surgery, no significant difference was found in any of the clinical parameters between the two groups. Conclusion. In patients with cervical radiculopathy, the type and extent of disc herniation measured on MRI prior to surgery correlated neither to the severity of the symptoms at presentation, nor to clinical outcomes at two years postoperatively. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(11):1242–1248

Aims. The number of patients undergoing surgery for degenerative cervical radiculopathy has increased. In many countries, public hospitals have limited capacity. This has resulted in long waiting times for elective treatment and a need for supplementary private healthcare. It is uncertain whether the management of patients and the outcome of treatment are equivalent in public and private hospitals. The aim of this study was to compare the management and patient-reported outcomes among patients who underwent surgery for degenerative cervical radiculopathy in public and private hospitals in Norway, and to assess whether the effectiveness of the treatment was equivalent. Methods. This was a comparative study using prospectively collected data from the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery. A total of 4,750 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for degenerative cervical radiculopathy and were followed for 12 months were included. Case-mix adjustment between those managed in public and private hospitals was performed using propensity score matching. The primary outcome measure was the change in the Neck Disability Index (NDI) between baseline and 12 months postoperatively. A mean difference in improvement of the NDI score between public and private hospitals of ≤ 15 points was considered equivalent. Secondary outcome measures were a numerical rating scale for neck and arm pain and the EuroQol five-dimension three-level health questionnaire. The duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, and complications were also recorded. Results. The mean improvement from baseline to 12 months postoperatively of patients who underwent surgery in public and private hospitals was equivalent, both in the unmatched cohort (mean NDI difference between groups 3.9 points (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2 to 5.6); p < 0.001) and in the matched cohort (4.0 points (95% CI 2.3 to 5.7); p < 0.001). Secondary outcomes showed similar results. The duration of surgery and length of hospital stay were significantly longer in public hospitals. Those treated in private hospitals reported significantly fewer complications in the unmatched cohort, but not in the matched cohort. Conclusion. The clinical effectiveness of surgery for degenerative cervical radiculopathy performed in public and private hospitals was equivalent 12 months after surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(1):64–71

There is evidence that preoperative physical fitness impacts surgical outcomes, specifically preceding abdominal, cardiovascular and spine surgery. To our knowledge, there are no papers on self-reported exercise frequency as a predictor of cervical spine surgery outcomes. Our objectives were to quantify self-report of exercise frequency in cervical spine surgery patients, and to elucidate if self-reported exercise prior to surgery confers less pain, improved health state and/or less disability post-surgery. We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network (CSORN) Database from the time of its inception. Inclusion criteria specified all elective cervical surgery patients over 18 years old with degenerative pathology who proceeded to surgery and completed the pre- and post-operative outcomes measures up to 24 months post surgery (n=460). Outcome measures were visual analog scales (VAS) for neck and arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and EuroQOL score at baseline and 3, 12 and 24 months post-op. Exercise frequency was self-reported as “none” (n=212) versus “some” (n=248). These groups were further categorized into “none due to physical limitations”, “none” (not due to physical limitations), those to exercised “once or less per week” and those that exercised “twice or more per week”. Student's t-tests were used to compare the mean scores of the outcome measures, and analysis of variance for subgroup comparisons, with results considered significant at p < 0 .05. At baseline, 56% of total patients reported exercise prior to surgery, of which 73% reported doing so twice or more per week. Of the 44% reporting no exercise, 74% could not exercise due to physical limitations. Those who reported “some” exercise had more favorable VAS neck and arm pain scores pre-operatively (neck: 5.55 vs 6.11, p < 0 .001) (arm: 5.69 vs 6.04, p=0.011), but no difference at 3 and 24 months post-operatively. Significantly lower NDI scores and higher EuroQOL Index scores were seen in the exercise group compared to the no exercise group pre-operatively (NDI: 39 vs 48, p < 0 .001) (EuroQOL: 0.60 vs 0.50 p < 0 .001) as well as at 3, 12, and 24 months post-op (NDI: 24 vs 31, p=0.007) (EuroQOL: 0.75 vs 0.68, p=0.001). Further subgroup analysis demonstrated that compared to the “no exercise due to physical limitation” group, the “twice or more” exercise group showed favorable NDI and EuroQOL scores up to 24 months post-op (NDI: 24.32 vs 32.33, p=0.001) (EuroQOL: 0.76 vs 0.66, p=0.001), whereas the “once or less times per week” group no longer demonstrated any significant difference at 24 months (NDI: 28.79 vs 32.33, p=1) (EuroQOL: 0.73 vs 0.66, p=0.269). Self-reported exercise prior to cervical spine surgery does not predict improved long-term neck and arm pain at 2 years post-op. However, self-reported exercise does demonstrate less disability and improved health state at baseline and up to 2 years post-op and this relationship is dose dependent

Mental disorders in particular depression and anxiety have been reported to be prevalent among patients with spinal pathologies. Goal of the current study was to analyze the relationship of Zung pre- and post-op score to other PROs and length of stay. Secondary outcomes included revision surgery and post-operative infections. Data from the international multicenter prospective spine degenerative surgery data repository, DegenPRO v1.1 (AO Spine Knowledge Forum Degenerative) were utilized. Patients undergoing cervical or lumbar procedure were included. Patient's demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index, surgical information, Zung score, NDI, pain related PROs and EQ-5D, and complications at surgery and at various post-op time periods. Except for hospital duration, data were analyzed, using multivariable mixed linear models. A robust linear regression model was used to assess the association between Zung score and hospital duration. All models were adjusted for gender and age. 42 patients had Zung score administered. Among those patients 22 (52%) were within normal range, 18 (43%) were mildly and 2 (5%) severely depressed. 62% of the patients had a lumbar pathology with fusion procedures being the most common. Median EQ-5D (3L) score at surgery was significantly higher (0.7, IQR: 0.4-0.7) for patients within normal range than for those with mild (0.4, IGR: 0.3-0.7) or severe depression (0.3, IQR: 0.3-0.3, p-value: 0.05). Compared to patients within normal Zung range, mixed models, indicated lower EQ-5D (3L) score values and higher values for neck and arm pain at surgery with both PROs and EQ-5D (3L) improving in patients with depression over the follow-up time. No association was found between Zung score and hospital length of stay. The initial analysis showed that 43% of the patients were mildly depressed and mainly male patients. Zung score was correlated with post-operative improvements in EQ-5D and arm and neck pain PROs

Aim: To investigate the incidence of headache and facial pain in patients with neck pain and/or brachalgia and determine any potentially causal relationship. Methods & Results: Sequential patients referred to the spinal clinic for assessment of their cervical spine were asked to shade on pain drawings, the distribution of pain and sensory disturbance which they were experiencing. The distribution of shading was categorised as head pain (subdivided into face, vertex and occiput) and arm pain. The incidence of head pain and its distribution was analysed along with its relationship to arm pain. Data collected from patients presenting with thoracolumbar pain over the same period was used as a control. Of 200 patients presenting to the clinic with cervical problems, 58 had head pain. 50 had occipital pain, 28 had vertex pain and 8 had facial pain. None of the thoracolumbar patients had head pain although 12 had upper limb pain. Of the 26 cervical patients who had unilateral arm pain & head pain, the head and arm pain were always on the same side. Conclusion: Head & facial pain in association with neck pain and brachalgia is common. The homolaterality of symptoms suggest the potential for causal relationships hitherto unrecognised in the literature. It is possible that some patients given medical diagnoses for their headache (e.g. migraine) might have surgically treatable cervical pathology. Clearly, further investigation to elucidate this potential relationship is required

Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of repeat epidural steroid injections as a form of treatment for patients with insufficiently controlled or recurrent radicular pain due to a lumbar or cervical disc herniation. Patients and Methods. A cohort of 102 patients was prospectively followed, after an epidural steroid injection for radicular symptoms due to lumbar disc herniation, in 57 patients, and cervical disc herniation, in 45 patients. Those patients with persistent pain who requested a second injection were prospectively followed for one year. Radicular and local pain were assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS), functional outcome with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) or the Neck Pain and Disability Index (NPAD), as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-12). Results. A second injection was performed in 17 patients (29.8%) with lumbar herniation and seven (15.6%) with cervical herniation at a mean of 65.3 days . (sd. 46.5) and 47 days . (sd. 37.2), respectively, after the initial injection. All but one patient, who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy, responded satisfactorily with a mean VAS for leg pain of 8.8 mm . (sd. 10.3) and a mean VAS for arm pain of 6.3 mm . (. sd. 9) one year after the second injection, respectively. Similarly, functional outcome and HRQoL were improved significantly from the baseline scores: mean ODI, 12.3 (. sd. 12.4; p < 0.001); mean NPAD, 19.3 (. sd. 24.3; p = 0.041); mean SF-12 physical component summary (PCS) in lumbar herniation, 46.8 (. sd. 7.7; p < 0.001); mean SF-12 PCS in cervical herniation, 43 (. sd. 6.8; p = 0.103). Conclusion. Repeat steroid injections are a justifiable form of treatment in symptomatic patients with lumbar or cervical disc herniation whose symptoms are not satisfactorily relieved after the first injection. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1364–71

Purpose of the study. To compare safety and efficacy of cervical disc replacement (CRD) in single and multilevel DDD. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Methods. 249 patients were enrolled. 171 patients were treated at 1-level, 41 treated at 2 levels and 2 patients were treated at 3 levels. Implant was also used adjacent to a fusion with a cage in 35 patients. The diagnosis was cervical degenerative disc disease between C3 and C7 with symptomatic DH. Population was 106 male 143 female, average age 46 (25-71). Clinical assessment included VAS scores for arm and neck pain and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Range of motion (ROM) from flexion/extension lateral view were measured. Results. Of all NDI scores recorded, 86,50 % demonstrated at least 15 points improvement at two years follow up from pre-op scores. 85,1% of VAS arm Pain scores demonstrated an improvement by = 2 points from pre-op scores and 50,8% for VAS neck Pain scores. The breakdown by levels and adjacent to an interbody cage shown that 80% of reported NDI scores demonstrated at least a 15 point improvement post operatively for two level disc replacement. 82,4% demonstrated a greater than 2 points improvement in VAS arm pain and 53,3% for VAS neck pain. For patients that received both implant and an interbody cage, 72,7% demonstrated a greater than 2 point improvement in VAS arm pain and 41,7% for VAS neck pain. Three (1,8%) cases of subsidence and 4 cases of implant loosening/displacement due to inappropriate sizing were reported. Available radiographic findings show on average a ROM of 8,2 ° at 2 years and an overall change in cervical lordosis of 5° from pre-op. Conclusion. Clinical outcomes demonstrated a significant improvement for both the total population (n=249) and for the single level total disc replacement population (n=171). Given these outstanding results single and multilevel TDR with this implant can be considered to be safe. No significant difference was observed between single and multilevel TDR groups regarding clinical, functional and radiological results. Follow up for this series need however to be extended for up to 5 years at least. The role of this implant in multilevel cases as well as in cases to a fused level still need further evaluation although these preliminary results are encouraging

Introduction: Cervical disc replacement has emerged as an alternative to the gold standard ACDF in ordered to preserve the motion of the cervical spine, and reduce the risk of adjacent degenerative changes. However, little data actually exists to support or refute the effect of symptoms chronicity on TDA for the treatment of degenerative cervical spine. Material and Methods: We prospectively investigated 130 consecutive patients who have undergone a Prestige LP cervical disc replacement for degenerative disease causing chronic neck pain and radiculopathy. The pre and post-operative NDI, SF-36, Visual Analogue Score (VAS), HDS and HAS were recorded. Results: There were 130 patients in total. There were 66 males and 64 females, with an mean age at surgery was 51.12 +/− 0.84. Seventy five patients had one level disc replacement, and 56 had 2 levels. The mean follow up was 28+/−0.35 months, and the mean duration of symptoms was 34.46 +/−3.8 months. Mean length of stay 1.75+/−0.11 (1–4). There was no correlation between the DOS and any of the functional outcome:. Improvement Neck disability index (r=−0.181, p=0.134). Improvement in HDS (r=−0.126, p=0.296). Improvement in HAS (r=0.00, p=0.99). Improvement in SF-36 bodily pain (r=−0.011, p=0.925). Improvement in SF-26 mental health (r=0.042, p=0.324). Improvement in VAS neck pain (r=−0.0120, p=0.324). Improvement in VAS arm pain (r=0.0178, p=0.141). Dividing the DOS into more or less than 12 months shows significant improvement only in the NDI: less than 12 months DOS (31.85±3.209) and in patients with more than 12 months DOS (19.71±2.164), p=0.002. While there was no statistical difference in the other outcomes. Dividing the DOS into more or less than 24 months showed significant improvement the out come in patients with less than 24 months in the following outcomes:. Improvement in NDI: less than 24 months (27.35±2.714), more thank 24 months (19.72+2.435), p=0.04. Improvement in VAS arm pain: less than 24 months (4.6000±0.34446), more than 24 months (2.7414±3.7236), p=0.001. Improvement in hospital depression score: less than 24 months (5.37±0.589), more than 24 months (3.60±0.47), p-0.023. Improvement in hospital anxiety score: less than 24 months (4.28±0.49), more than 24 months (2.45±0.48), p=0.009. While there was no significant difference in the other outcomes. Dividing the DOS into less or more than 36 months showed no statistical difference in any of the outcome,. That was also the case when the DOS was divided into more or less than 48 months. Conclusion: Duration of symptoms of more that 24 months was associated with less favorable outcome, that was evident in improvement in NDI, HDS, HAS and VAS arm pain. Patients should be counseled when they present with DOS more than 24 months

Diagnostic indices for the determination of involved nerve root in cervical radiculopathy have been described by Yoss (1957), Murphey (1973) and Hoppenfeld (1976). However, there has been criticism that their indices are inappropriate for the diagnosis, because involved nerve root can not necessarily be determined using them. Difficulties in diagnosis have been attributed to the variable patterns of symptoms and signs caused by nerve root compression. Purpose: To develop the new diagnostic indices for determination of involved nerve root in cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Forty-five cases operated on through posterior foraminotomy were reviewed. The sites of neck pain(s) (in nape, in suprascapular, superior angle of scapula, interscapular, or scapular regions), and arm pain (anterior, lateral, posterior or medial) in anatomical position were preoperatively recorded. The finger(s) with subjective paraesthesia or objective sensory change, and the finger(s) of the most severe involvement were recorded. Affected muscle(s) (deltoid, biceps, wrist extensor, wrist flexor, triceps, finger extensor, or intrinsic), and the muscle(s) of the weakest were recorded. All of 45 cases were decompressed unilaterally at only 1 level, and showed improvements just after operation. Involved nerve roots and number of their cases were as follows: C5, 7; C6, 12; C7, 13; C8, 13. Results: Pain in the suprascapular region frequently (82%) indicated C5 or C6 radiculopathy. Interscapular or scapular pain always (100%) indicated C7 or C8 radiculopathy. Lateral, posterior, or medial arm pain frequently indicated C6, C7 or C8 radiculopathy, respectively. Involved nerve roots and number of patterns of finger paraesthesia [or sensory change] were as follows: C5, 0 [0]; C6, 4 [5]; C7, 8 [10]; C8, 4 [5]. However, when the most severe involvement was that of the thumb, the index or long finger, or the little finger, the indication was C6, C7 or C8 radiculopathy, respectively. Although patterns in affection of muscles were also variable, when the weakest muscle was deltoid, biceps or wrist extensor, wrist flexor or triceps, or intrinsic, the indication was C5, C6, C7 or C8 radiculopathy, respectively. Conclusion: The sites of the neck and arm pain are important for the diagnosis of the involved nerve root. Not the fingers with paraesthesia but the fingers with the most severe involvement lead to the diagnosis

Purpose of study: To demonstrate the safety and efficacy 3 and 4-level ACDF with stand-alone (no additional anterior fixation) intervertebral cages. Methods and results: A consecutive cohort of 19 patients undergoing 3 (n=15) and 4-level (n=4) ACDF with Solis cages over 4 years was studied (mean follow-up 24 months). Outcome measures were clinical (VAS scores for neck and arm pain, myelopathy scores) and radiological (disc height, kyphotic angles, fusion). Neck pain scores improved from 5.1 pre-operatively (range 0–10, s.d. 4) to 2.8 post-operatively (range 0–10, s.d.5), t=3.7, P< 0.0002. Arm pain scores improved from 5.3 pre-operatively (range 0–10, s.d. 5) to 2.5 post-operatively (range 0–8, s.d. 3), t=2.8, P< 0.009. Pre-operative myelopathy scores averaged 10.6 (range 7–16, s.d. 4.7) rising to 12.8 post-operatively (range 10–17, s.d. 3.9). Although there was no statistically significant change in myelopathy scores, no patient experienced a worsening of their myelopathy score after surgery. There were no operative complications. Radiological follow-up demonstrated early improvement in disc space heights (pre-op 3.1 mm, range 1–6 mm; post-op 5.6 mm, range 4–9 mm) but, at 12 months, two patients demonstrated asymptomatic evidence of cage settling and loss of disc height. There was no incidence of pseudarthrosis. No patient has thus far required further surgery. Conclusion: Multi-level cervical disc disease can be managed safely and effectively by 3 or 4-level discectomy and fusion with stand-alone intervertebral cages. Ethics approval: None – audit. Interest Statement: None

The April 2023 Spine Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy versus microendoscopic discectomy; Spine surgical site infections: a single debridement is not enough; Lenke type 5, anterior, or posterior: systematic review and meta-analysis; Epidural steroid injections and postoperative infection in lumbar decompression or fusion; Noninferiority of posterior cervical foraminotomy versus anterior cervical discectomy; Identifying delays to surgical treatment for metastatic disease; Cervical disc replacement and adjacent segment disease: the NECK trial; Predicting complication in adult spine deformity surgery.

Introduction: While anterior cervical decompression and fusion has been shown to be clinically effective in cases of myelopathy or radiculopathy, several studies have suggested an increased risk of development of adjacent segment degeneration. The Bryan Cervical Disc Pros-thesis was developed to address this complication and was fi rst used clinically in Europe in January 2000. The author began to use the device in June of 2001 and since that time has implanted 30 prostheses in 22 patients. The present prospective study was commenced at the time (concurrently with an ASERNIPS study) with a view to examine the clinical efficacy and safety of this device. The results in the author’s first 14 patients are reported, all with a minimum follow-up of 12 months (mean 20 months). Methods: An observational audit of 14 consecutive patients with cervical radiculopathy (6 patients), myelopathy (6 patients) or discogenic neck pain (2 patients) operated upon between July 2001 and November 2002. Average age was 48 years (range 27 – 61 years). 5 patients underwent two level procedures. Operative / post-op complications and clinical / radiological outcomes were recorded at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 months and January 2004. Results: Follow-up data is available at > 12 months on 13 of the 14 patients at an average 23 months post op (Range: 14–30 months). The patient for whom data is not available is known to have had a poor clinical outcome. She developed an unusual symptom complex with complex regional pain syndrome and is very unhappy with the surgery. Of the other 13 patients, 12 consider their outcome to have been excellent and 1 fair. In the two patients who underwent surgery purely for discogenic neck pain, substantial relief was reported. In the 8 patients with pre-operative arm pain, 6 reported complete relief, 1 substantial relief and one partial relief. There were no intra-operative complications. Two patients developed dysphagia which resolved after several months, one has described a clicking sensation in his neck for which no cause has been identified and one experiences persistent ‘neural surges’. One patient required surgery for a disc herniation at an adjacent level, 9 months post-op while in another patient, on routine 12 month follow-up MRI scan, an asymptomatic disc herniation adjacent to the operated segment had resolved spontaneously. One patient underwent foraminotomy for recurrent arm pain, 19 months post-op. All prostheses appear mobile on dynamic x-rays but it is apparent that the Bryan device does not correct any pre-operative degenerative deformity using the current technique. Discussion: The current study appears to indicate satisfactory clinical outcomes at an average of 23 months post surgery in this group of patients. Longer follow-up and larger patient numbers are required as well as comparative studies

Study Design/Objective: Prospective two-leg cohort study on anterior cervical fusion versus cervical arthroplasty with emphasis on clinical outcome measures. Patients and Methods: Between August 2003 and May 2005 21 consecutive patients underwent anterior cervical fusion with or without anterior decompression with 26 levels fused. Between December 2004 and August 2006 24 patients had cervical arthroplasty with 30 levels replaced. The mean age at operation of the fusion group was 52 years and 5 months (46–69) and for the arthroplasty group 51 years and 2 months (42–62). To establish fusion the Cervios® cage (Synthes) with or without anterior plating was used. In the arthroplasty group the Prodisc C® disc prothesis (Synthes) was used. Contraindication for arthroplasty were osteoporosis, osteopathies, spinal canal stenosis, hypertrophic spondylarthrosis, spondylolisthesis, tumors and privious infection. Both groups were comparable with respect to age and gender, diagnosis, level distribution and preoperative clinical outcome measures (VAS for nack pain and arm pain, neck disability index and SF-36–sub-scores pain, function, vitality). Results: Postoperatively all of the clinical outcome measures significantly improved in both groups. After three months postoperatively no significant further improvement was evident. VAS neck pain: Fusion group/arthroplasty group: Preoperatively 6.2/5.9 n.s., 6 weeks 3.5/3.1 n.s., 12 weeks 2.1/1.9 n.s, 1 year 2/2.1 n.s. VAS arm pain: Fusion group/arthroplasty group: Preoperatively 5.5/5.3 n.s., 6 weeks 2.6/2.4 n.s., 12 weeks 1.7/1.8 n.s, 1 year 2/1.9 n.s. Neck disability index: Fusion group/arthroplasty group: Preoperatively 43/40 n.s., 6 weeks 28/23 p< 0.05., 12 weeks 18/14 p< 0.05, 1 year 20/15 p< 0.05. SF-36 subscore pain: Fusion group/arthroplasty group: Preoperatively 36/37 n.s., 6 weeks 42/44 n.s., 12 weeks 52/58 p< 0.05, 1 year 52/60 p< 0.05. SF-36 subscore function: Fusion group/arthroplasty group: Preoperatively 52/54 n.s., 6 weeks 57/59 n.s., 12 weeks 60/62 n.s, 1 year 64/67 n.s. SF-36 subscore vitality: Fusion group/arthroplasty group: Preoperatively 42/44 n.s., 6 weeks 45/46 n.s., 12 weeks 50/52 n.s, 1 year 54/56 n.s. In the fusion group we had 1 recurrent radiculopathy and 1 non union without the need of further intervention. In the arthroplasty group we faced 1 recurrent laryngeus recurrens nerve palsy and 3 spontaneus fusions within 1 year postoperatively, which might not be classified as complication. Conclusion: Short term outcome after both procedures is excellent in terms of pain relief and function. 10% spontaneus fusion after disc replacement within the first year was evident. In our series we found better results after 3 months to 1 year postoperatively with respect to the neck disability index and SF-36 subscore pain within the arthroplasty group

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of periprosthetic fractures of the humerus and to assess the uniformity of the classifications used for these fractures (including those around elbow and/or shoulder arthroplasties) by performing a systematic review of the literature.

We retrospectively reviewed the results of patients having undergone single or two level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with the use of the Cervios Cage (SYNTHES). Participants were sent a questionnaire which included generic questions relating to ACDF such as dysphagia, hoarseness of voice and resolution of arm pain in addition to Oswestry Disability scores. Most patients underwent AP/Lateral and flexion/extension radiographs

Background. There have been limited published reports on the clinical results of cervical artificial disc replacement. Goffin et al reported a 90% rate of good to excellent results at 1 to 2 yrs after Bryan disc replacement. Wigfield et al reported a 46% improvement in pain and 31% improvement in disability 2 yrs after Prestige cervical disc replacement. Objectives. The study was designed to determine whether new functional cervical disc prosthesis can provide improvement in the ability to perform activities of daily living, decrease pain and segmental motion. Methods. All patients who had Prestige cervical disc replacement over last 2yrs 3 months were identified. Oswestry disability index score and SF36 Quality of life instrument were administered to each patient. Site specific pain scores were obtained using visual analogue scale. Clinical and operative details were reviewed and correlated. Results. 35 Patients underwent 48 Prestige cervical disc replacement during study period. There was 48%, 54% and 70% improvement in Oswestry disability index at 6 weeks, 6 months and 19 months follow-ups respectively. There was significant improvements in both neck and arm pain during immediate post op period and during further follow-ups. There was one neck wound haematoma and one left sided Horner's syndrome as complications. Conclusion. Anterior cervical disc replacement is a viable surgical alternative to fusion for cervical disc degenerative disease and herniation with preservation of motion and alignment without compromising clinical outcomes. At least 5yrs follow-up will be needed to assess the long term functionality of the prosthesis and protective influence on the adjacent levels

Background. The factors that are considered to be associated with successful clinical outcome fallowing cervical arthroplasty surgery are patient selection, absence of facet joint changes and lack of pre-operative kyphosis. Even though many studies have cited the pre-operative demographic details of their patient groups, the effect of associated psychological co-morbidities (Depression/Anxiety), smoking history, gender, social benefits and employment status on the clinical outcome measures have not been reported. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of pre-operative patient characteristics on the clinical outcomes following cervical disc replacement. Methods. We included 126 patients who underwent single or multiple level cervical arthroplasty in our unit were included in the study. The clinical outcome measures such as Visual Analogue Score for neck pain (VAS-NP) and arm pain (VAS-AP); Neck disability Index (NDI), Hospital depression and anxiety scale and Bodily pain component of Short Form 36 questionnaires (SF-36 P) were recorded pre and post operatively. Statistical analysis was completed using SPSS 16.0 statistical package (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Results. There were 60 males and 63 females. Average duration of follow up was 18 months (Range 10–51). Out of 123 patients, 37 patients had a history of anxiety/depression, 25 patients gave history of smoking, 64 were actively working at the time of operation and 27 were receiving social benefits. We have found that gender; smoking status, associated co-morbidities, working and benefit status had no statistically significant contribution to clinical outcome measures in the follow up period. Conclusion. This is has been a first ever attempt to analyse the affect these psychosocial factors on the clinical outcomes following cervical arthroplasty. In our study, contrary to studies related lumbar surgeries, we conclude that there is no statistically significant contribution of associated psychosocial factors on the clinical outcomes in the early follow up period

Introduction. In the last decade, single level cervical arthroplasty has proven its efficacy as one of the surgical treatment option for for patients suffering from cervical degenerative disc disease. Recent published reports on multilevel cervical arthroplasty using single implants have shown statistically significant results when compared to single level surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of multilevel cervical arthroplasty to single level cervical arthroplasty, when more than one type of implants were used. Methods. This is a prospective study of consecutive patients who presented to our unit in between June 2006 and November 2009. The maximum follow-up period was 51 months (mean=18 months). Several types of cervical arthroplasty devices have been used in this study. The clinical outcome measures such as Visual Analogue Score for neck pain (VAS-NP) and arm pain (VAS-AP); Neck disability Index (NDI) and the Bodily pain component of Short Form 36 questionnaires were recorded pre and post operatively. After confirming the normality of the data appropriate parametric (paired t-test) were used to assess the statistical significance (p< 0.05) between pre and post-operative values. Two sample T-test was used to assess the significance between the differences in mean scores between each group. Results. A total of 105 patients (37 single level, 68 multi-level) were included in the study. Mean age of patients was 51 years (Range 32–80) with Male: Female ratio of 9:10. All clinical outcome measures showed statistically significant improvement in the post-operative period in single as well as multilevel group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement in between single and multilevel surgeries. Conclusions. Our study results clearly demonstrate that multilevel cervical arthroplasty offers the similar clinical outcome when compared to single level surgery, despite using different type of implant in multilevel surgeries

Objective: To report a rare case of lymphomatous transformation in a Pagetic bone. Methods: A 61yr old lady with an 8yr history of monostotic Paget’s disease affecting her right proximal humerus presented with increasing right arm pain. Initial investigations including plain films, a radioisotope bone scan and MRI scan showed evidence of malignant transformation. Results: The patient was admitted for an incision biopsy. Initial pathological examination suggested a high grade Paget’s sarcoma. However, further stains and immunohistochemical markers showed bone involvement by a malignant B-cell lymphoma. Conclusion: Although sarcoma is by far the commonest malignant transformation of Pagetic bone, rare cases of lymphoma must also be considered, especially since the management and prognosis are radically different