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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
06:11
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in the Ovine Model
Published on: October 5, 2009
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Persistent Shoulder Pain After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): Another Dual Pathology
Shahbaz Khan1, Nida Hameed2, Saddam Mazar3
1Orthopedics and Spine Surgery, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, PAK.
Cureus
|April 9, 2021
Summary
Persistent shoulder pain after cervical spine surgery is common, often linked to underlying rotator cuff tears. Thorough examination and imaging are crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management of these dual pathologies.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Neck and shoulder pain often present concurrently, making diagnosis challenging.
- Approximately 10% of patients with cervical radiculopathy also have shoulder pathology.
- Identifying risk factors for persistent shoulder pain post-cervical surgery is clinically significant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and correlate risk factors for persistent shoulder pain after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).
- To investigate the association between cervical spine surgery outcomes and concurrent shoulder pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, single-center study of patients undergoing ACDF from August 2018 to February 2021.
- Medical records were reviewed for persistent shoulder pain, rotator cuff tears, and subacromial impingement post-ACDF.
- Correlation analysis was performed for visual analog scale (VAS) scores, cervical levels, gender, and shoulder pathologies.
Main Results:
- Rotator cuff tear was the predominant finding in patients with persistent shoulder pain (25.7%).
- A significant association was found between VAS score >7 post-surgery and shoulder pathologies (p=0.001).
- The C6-7 level was most commonly affected (68.6%), particularly in females (p=0.038).
Conclusions:
- Dual pathologies of the cervical spine and shoulder are common.
- Persistent shoulder pain after ACDF suggests a higher likelihood of concurrent shoulder pathology.
- Comprehensive clinical evaluation and radiological correlation are essential for managing patients with combined neck and shoulder symptoms.
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