Background: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for symptomatic cervical disc disease. In this study, we analysed the upper and lower limb motor functions after ACDF for disc prolapse in patients with degenerative cervical disc disease.
Methods: One hundred consecutive adult patients who underwent ACDF for single or two-level cervical disc prolapse during the study period (October 2015 to October 2017) were included in the study.
Results: Preoperative motor deficits in limbs were noted in 73% (73/100) of the patients. Enhance recovery of motor deficits was noted in 72.6% (53/73) of these patients and persisting motor deficits in the remaining patients (20/73- 27.4%). Five patients (5/27- 18.5%) without any preoperative motor deficits developed motor deficits after ACDF. Detailed pre and postoperative (at the time of discharge) motor power (graded by MRC grade) in all 4 limbs (Shoulder abduction/adduction/flexion/extension, elbow flexion/extension, wrist flexion/extension, hip abduction/adduction/flexion/extension, knee flexion/extension, ankle flexion/extension) was recorded. Statistically significant improvement in motor power (as recorded at the time of discharge) was noted in all the tested muscle groups after ACDF.
Conclusion: Early improvement in preoperative motor deficits can be expected in the majority of the patients with cervical PIVD following ACDF
