Effects of Intervertebral Stabilization and Fusion to the Cases with Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Cervical Spine

• Published in: Orthopedics & Traumatology Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 253 - 257
• Main Authors: Tominaga, S., Hono, H., Shigemoto, H., Doi, K., Nakamura, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: West-Japanese Society of Orthopedics & Traumatology 1978
• ISSN: 0037-1033; 1349-4333
• DOI: 10.5035/nishiseisai.27.253

50 operative cases treated by interbody fusion without excising the ossified mass and 30 non-operative cases treated conservatively were analyzed neurologically and radiologically to make clear the effects of intervertebral stabilization and fusion on the myelopathic symptoms of this condition, comparing with the corelation between the intervertebral mobility and immobility in the narrow canal. It was stressed that the cervical cord compressed and strangulated by the static factor of the narrow canal, increasing by the dynamic factor of the movements of the cervical spine would be mechanically and ischemically damaged and subsequently produce symptoms and functional disabilities. In conclusion, spontaneous and operative stabilization of the cervical disk space with unbalanced mobility acts effectively to the improvement of the cervical cord function.