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Long-Term Results After Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
Tonje O Johansen1,2, Siril T Holmberg1,2, Elisabet Danielsen3
1Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim , Norway.
Neurosurgery
|October 12, 2023
Summary
Surgical treatment for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) provides lasting clinical improvements. Long-term follow-up confirms sustained benefits in patient-reported outcomes after DCM surgery.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Spinal Cord Medicine
Background:
- Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a common cause of spinal cord dysfunction.
- Surgical intervention for DCM is generally safe and effective, but long-term outcomes require further investigation.
- Limited data exists on the long-term efficacy of surgical treatment for DCM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for DCM.
- To assess changes in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) from 1 year to long-term follow-up (3-8 years post-surgery).
- To evaluate the persistence of surgical benefits in DCM patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of patients who underwent surgery for DCM at Norwegian university hospitals were included.
- Long-term follow-up was conducted 3 to 8 years post-surgery.
- Primary outcome: change in Neck Disability Index. Secondary outcomes: European Myelopathy Scale, EuroQoL EQ-5D, and pain/headache NRS scores, Global Perceived Effect scale.
Main Results:
- 123 out of 144 patients (85.4%) provided PROMs at long-term follow-up.
- No significant changes were observed in PROMs from 1 year to long-term follow-up.
- 87.6% of patients reported being stable or improved at long-term follow-up, indicating sustained positive outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Long-term follow-up after DCM surgery demonstrates persistent, clinically meaningful improvements.
- Surgical treatment for DCM leads to sustained benefits across various patient-reported outcome measures.
- The positive effects of DCM surgery are maintained over extended periods.