Researchers examined 79 patients who underwent one- to three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusions. Forty-four patients expected a complete resolution of pain and 35 expected some pain postoperatively.
At the two-year follow-up, the two groups didn’t differ significantly in physical health or disability rating scores. The patients who expected no pain reported lower postoperative neck and arm pain, higher postoperative mental health ratings and satisfaction scores. The higher pre-operative mental health ratings also correlated with lower postoperative neck pain and disability scores.
Read the release on outcomes for cervical spine surgery (pdf).
Read other coverage on cervical spine surgery:
– 5 Points on Cervical Spine Surgery
– Spine Surgery Research Update: Treatment of Cervical Spine
– Cervical Spine Surgery Complications More Frequent in Trauma, Spinal Oncologic Procedures
