Anterior cervical foramenotomy for cervical radiculopathy.

Anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) is standard practice for cervical radiculopathy. Irrespective of the precise method used, it involves more or less complete disc removal with resultant anatomical and biomechanical derangements, and frequently the insertion of a bone or prosthetic graft. Anterior c...

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Main Authors: White, B, Buxton, N, Fitzgerald, J
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2007
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author White, B
Buxton, N
Fitzgerald, J
author_facet White, B
Buxton, N
Fitzgerald, J
author_sort White, B
collection OXFORD
description Anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) is standard practice for cervical radiculopathy. Irrespective of the precise method used, it involves more or less complete disc removal with resultant anatomical and biomechanical derangements, and frequently the insertion of a bone or prosthetic graft. Anterior cervical foramenotomy is an alternative procedure that allows effective anterior decompression of the nerve root and lateral spinal cord, whilst conserving the native disc, preserving normal anatomy and movement, and protecting against later degeneration at adjacent spaces as far as possible. The aim of the study was to determine the safety and efficacy of anterior cervical foramenotomy in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and took the form of a prospective study of 21 cases under the care of a single surgeon. All patients had a single level or two level anterior cervical foramenotomy. All had pre- and postoperative visual analogue scores for arm and neck pain, arm strength, sensation and overall use. A comparison between patients' perceptions and surgeon's observations was also made. Patients were followed up for between 10 and 36 months. Sixty-eight per cent completed full pre- and postoperative assessments. Twenty-eight per cent of the responders had complete arm pain resolution. There were statistically significant reductions in arm and neck pain, and overall disability. The surgeon's impression of improvement paralleled that of the patients. There was one complication with discitis. Anterior cervical foramenotomy is a safe and effective treatment for cervical radiculopathy caused by posterolateral cervical disc prolapse or uncovertebral osteophyte, and might also reduce adjacent segment degeneration.
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spelling oxford-uuid:8bf94bfc-53e6-4f31-9547-5ee5cf6ec8292022-03-26T22:41:36ZAnterior cervical foramenotomy for cervical radiculopathy.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:8bf94bfc-53e6-4f31-9547-5ee5cf6ec829EnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2007White, BBuxton, NFitzgerald, JAnterior cervical discectomy (ACD) is standard practice for cervical radiculopathy. Irrespective of the precise method used, it involves more or less complete disc removal with resultant anatomical and biomechanical derangements, and frequently the insertion of a bone or prosthetic graft. Anterior cervical foramenotomy is an alternative procedure that allows effective anterior decompression of the nerve root and lateral spinal cord, whilst conserving the native disc, preserving normal anatomy and movement, and protecting against later degeneration at adjacent spaces as far as possible. The aim of the study was to determine the safety and efficacy of anterior cervical foramenotomy in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and took the form of a prospective study of 21 cases under the care of a single surgeon. All patients had a single level or two level anterior cervical foramenotomy. All had pre- and postoperative visual analogue scores for arm and neck pain, arm strength, sensation and overall use. A comparison between patients' perceptions and surgeon's observations was also made. Patients were followed up for between 10 and 36 months. Sixty-eight per cent completed full pre- and postoperative assessments. Twenty-eight per cent of the responders had complete arm pain resolution. There were statistically significant reductions in arm and neck pain, and overall disability. The surgeon's impression of improvement paralleled that of the patients. There was one complication with discitis. Anterior cervical foramenotomy is a safe and effective treatment for cervical radiculopathy caused by posterolateral cervical disc prolapse or uncovertebral osteophyte, and might also reduce adjacent segment degeneration.
spellingShingle White, B
Buxton, N
Fitzgerald, J
Anterior cervical foramenotomy for cervical radiculopathy.
title Anterior cervical foramenotomy for cervical radiculopathy.
title_full Anterior cervical foramenotomy for cervical radiculopathy.
title_fullStr Anterior cervical foramenotomy for cervical radiculopathy.
title_full_unstemmed Anterior cervical foramenotomy for cervical radiculopathy.
title_short Anterior cervical foramenotomy for cervical radiculopathy.
title_sort anterior cervical foramenotomy for cervical radiculopathy
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AT buxtonn anteriorcervicalforamenotomyforcervicalradiculopathy
AT fitzgeraldj anteriorcervicalforamenotomyforcervicalradiculopathy