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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology

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01-12-2020 | Cervical Myelopathy | Original Article

Improvement in the results of the simple-foot-tapping test and cross-sectional area of the dural sac in patients with C5 palsy after posterior cervical spine surgery

Authors: Kazunari Takeuchi, Toru Yokoyama, Kanichiro Wada, Gentaro Kumagai, Hitoshi Kudo, Sunao Tanaka, Toru Asari, Eiji Sasaki, Taku Fujita, Tatsuhiro Fukutoku, Kazushige Koyama, Masayuki Ichinohe, Yasuyuki Ishibashi

Published in: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology | Issue 8/2020

Abstract

Introduction

The smaller cross-sectional areas of the dural sacs in patients without C5 palsy after posterior cervical spine surgery may lead to less neurological improvement.

Objectives

The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the differences in the cross-sectional area of the dural sac in the cervical spine and neurological improvement in patients with and without C5 palsy after posterior cervical spinal surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the postoperative cross-sectional areas of the dural sacs and neurological outcomes in patients with and without C5 palsy after posterior cervical spine surgery. We compared the postoperative cross-sectional areas of the dural sac at C4/5 and C5/6 on magnetic resonance images between the C5 palsy group (n = 19) and the no-C5 palsy group (n = 84) after posterior cervical spinal surgery 1 year postoperatively. Performance tests, namely, the 10-s grip-and-release test and the 10-s single-foot-tapping (FT) test, were compared between the two groups.

Results

Postoperative cross-sectional areas of the dural sac at C4/5 and C5/6 (233.3 mm² and 226.6 mm², respectively) in the C5 palsy group were significantly larger (P = 0.0036 and P = 0.0039, respectively) than those (195.0 mm² and 193.8 mm², respectively) in the no-C5 palsy group. Postoperative gain in the grip-and-release test was similar between the two groups. Postoperative gain in the FT test (4.9 times) in the C5 palsy group was significantly larger (P = 0.0060) than that (1.8 times) in the no-C5 palsy group.

Conclusions

In the C5 palsy group 1 year after posterior cervical spine surgery, the cross-sectional areas of the dural sac were larger, and the 10-s single FT test improved noticeably.

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Title: Improvement in the results of the simple-foot-tapping test and cross-sectional area of the dural sac in patients with C5 palsy after posterior cervical spine surgery
Authors: Kazunari Takeuchi
Toru Yokoyama
Kanichiro Wada
Gentaro Kumagai
Hitoshi Kudo
Sunao Tanaka
Toru Asari
Eiji Sasaki
Taku Fujita
Tatsuhiro Fukutoku
Kazushige Koyama
Masayuki Ichinohe
Yasuyuki Ishibashi
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer Paris
Keyword: Cervical Myelopathy
Published in: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology / Issue 8/2020
Print ISSN: 1633-8065
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1068
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-020-02715-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Improvement in the results of the simple-foot-tapping test and cross-sectional area of the dural sac in patients with C5 palsy after posterior cervical spine surgery

Abstract

Introduction

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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