The impact of prior COVID-19 infection on pain, disability, and quality of life following cervical disc herniation surgery

• Published in: Turkish Journal of Clinical Research Vol. 1; no. 1; p. 7
• Main Authors: Korkmazer, Ruveyda, Akıncı, Cevat, Aydın, Omer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 30.05.2025
• ISSN: 3062-4142; 3062-4142
• DOI: 10.63909/1453002

Aim: This research investigates whether previous COVID-19 infection influences clinical outcomes and patient-reported experiences in individuals treated surgically for cervical disc herniation (CDH). While COVID-19 is predominantly recognized for its respiratory effects, accumulating evidence highlights its prolonged impact on neuromuscular and psychological health. These sequelae could potentially alter postoperative recovery dynamics following spine surgery. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 64 patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) from 2021 to 2023 was analyzed. Subjects were stratified based on PCR-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis within six months prior to surgery. Clinical evaluations included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for neurological assessment, the Neck Disability Index (NDI) for functional impairment, and the SF-36 questionnaire to assess health-related quality of life. The data were compared using t-tests and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between groups in JOA or NDI scores. However, patients with a prior COVID-19 infection reported markedly lower SF-36 scores in domains such as physical functioning, role-physical, role-emotional, and social functioning (p<0.05), indicating reduced subjective well-being despite comparable clinical metrics. Conclusion: While prior COVID-19 infection does not appear to compromise neurological or disability outcomes after CDH surgery, it is associated with diminished self-perceived health status. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive postoperative care addressing both physical and psychological dimensions in patients with recent COVID-19 history.