Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Anterior decompression in the management of unilateral cervical spondylotic amyotrophy.

Orthopedics 2012 December
Cervical spondylotic amyotrophy is a rare clinical condition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of anterior decompression in patients with unilateral upper-extremity amyotrophy caused by cervical spondylosis. The authors retrospectively analyzed the records of 31 patients (23 men and 8 women) who underwent anterior decompressive surgery for cervical spondylotic amyotrophy at the authors' institution between 2000 and 2011. Demographic characteristics, pre- and postoperative results of imaging studies, and postoperative muscle power improvement were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 22.2 months (range, 14-36 months). Patients were divided into proximal (n=21) and distal (n=10) types according to the most severely atrophic muscle, and the 2 groups were compared statistically. The most commonly affected intervertebral level in proximal-type patients was C4-C5, whereas that in distal-type patients was C5-C6. Impingements against the ventral nerve root and anterior horn were observed in 22 and 25 cases, respectively, with 16 cases having both impingements. Eighty-one percent of proximal-type patients gained 1 or more grades of muscle power improvement on manual muscle testing, whereas 40% of distal-type patients improved. Within 15 postoperative days, 57% of proximal-type patients attained subjective or objective improvement of muscle power, whereas all distal-type patients failed to improve. Anterior decompression was effective for most patients with unilateral cervical spondylotic amyotrophy, although postoperative muscle power improvement in distal-type patients was inferior to that in proximal-type patients. Furthermore, compared with the proximal type, the distal type showed a slower postoperative recovery.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app