Postoperative residual neuropathic pain prevents return to work after cervical OPLL surgery: nationwide multicenter...

Cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (c-OPLL) is an intractable disease that impairs activities of daily living and quality of life. There are few reports on patients' return to work (RTW) after surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the RTW status and its associated factors after c-OPLL surgery through a nationwide multicenter questionnaire survey and to provide reference evidence for determining the future treatment of this disease. We were able to study 286 patients (205 males, 81 females) from 13 institutions. We analyzed RTW in 198 patients, excluding 88 patients who were unemployed before surgery. RTW was confirmed in 151 patients (124 males, 27 females), and RTW rate was 76.3%. Significant differences were observed between RTW + and-groups in age, body mass index, preoperative workload, and preoperative JOA score. Notably, this study was the first to demonstrate that postoperative residual neuropathic pain is a significant factor associated with RTW after c-OPLL surgery. The results of this study will provide useful information for determining future treatment plans for patients with an eye toward returning to work after surgery, and may also have an impact on surgical indications for this disease.