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Cervical muscle strength after laminoplasty
Sueo Nakama1, Kikuko Nitanai, Yoichi Oohashi
1Department of Orthopaedics, Omiya Medical Center, Jichi Medical School, 1-847 Amanuma-cho, Saitama 330-8503, Japan.
Summary
Cervical muscle strength decreases after laminoplasty but recovers within a year. Chronic neck pain may stem from muscle strength imbalances, not just surgical trauma.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Laminoplasty is a surgical procedure to enlarge the spinal canal.
- Cervical muscle strength and neck pain are significant factors in patient recovery post-surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in cervical muscle strength following French-door laminoplasty.
- To investigate the relationship between cervical muscle strength and neck pain after surgery.
Main Methods:
- Maximum isometric muscle strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer.
- Neck pain was evaluated monthly in 21 patients post-laminoplasty.
Main Results:
- Muscle strength declined 1 month post-surgery, particularly extensors, but returned to baseline by 1 year.
- All patients reported severe neck pain at 1 month, decreasing over time, but persisting in some at 1 year.
- A negative correlation between muscle strength and neck pain was observed in men (extension/flexion) and women (extension).
Conclusions:
- Short-term post-laminoplasty symptoms are likely due to soft tissue trauma.
- Chronic neck pain may result from an imbalance in cervical extensor and flexor muscle strength.