AbstractIntroduction: Cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA) is characterized by muscle atrophy in the upper extremities without gait disturbance. Aims: To analyze the pathophysiology, clinical features and various treatment options in cervical spondylotic myelopathy and the pattern of neurological recovery, prognosis and outcome following surgery. Materials and methods:The present study is a prospective study, observational study evaluate prognosis and outcome following surgery in cervical spondylotic myelopathy comprising of 47 cases studied over a period of 2 years. Results: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is commonly seen in elderly age group (mean age is 50 years) and it affects more commonly males. The neurological recovery was apparently best in the upper limb function, followed by lower limb function and least in the sphincter function. The neurological recovery was less in patients with age greater than 60 years, duration of symptoms more than 1 year, sphincter disturbances and hyperintense signal changes in the cord on T2W1 images. Conclusions: There is no significant difference in the outcome between anterior vs. posterior surgery. Anterior surgery had more complications at the early stage after operation which gradually improved.
Keywords: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy; Neurological recovery; Surgical decompression.