The study’s main objective is to determine the possible relation between cervical sagittal balance and neck pain in patients having anterior cervical spine (ACS) surgery. Retrospective monocentric study on 85 patients who underwent ACS surgery between 2014 and 2016. Clinically, all patients were assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). MRI or CT-scan of the cervical spine achieved radiological assessment. It allowed measurement of radiological parameters for preoperative cervical sagittal balance. These same criteria were measured postoperatively using X-rays.

The researchers found a statistically significant increase in the Cobb angle post-operatively (10.34 degrees) compared to pre-operatively. Concomitantly, there is a statistically significant decrease in NDI postoperatively (22.69%) compared to preoperatively (42.31%) (p < 0.01). There is a negative correlation between Cobb angle and NDI. A reduction of neck pain accompanies an improvement in the cervical sagittal balance after ACS surgery. Radiological parameters of cervical sagittal balance may be taken into account when planning surgery to maintain cervical alignment and limit neck pain occurrence. However, there are still working on the same to find out more interesting facts about this to better the process.

Ref: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02688697.2020.1850643

Author