Award Date

5-2013

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

Advisor 1

Merrill Landers

First Committee Member

Merrill Landers

Second Committee Member

Robbin Hickman, Research Project Coordinator

Number of Pages

46

Abstract

Summary of background data: Intractable cervical radiculopathy secondary to stenosis or herniated nucleus pulposus is commonly treated with an anterior cervical decompression and fusion procedure (ACDF). However, there is little evidence in the literature that demonstrates the impact such surgery has on long term range of motion outcomes

Study Design: Prospective, non--‐experimental.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare cervical range of motion and patient reported outcomes in patients before and after a 1, 2 or 3 level ACDF.

Patient Sample: 46 patients.

Methods: Patients undergoing an ACDF for cervical radiculopathy had their cervical range of motion measured preoperatively, and also at 3 months and 6 months following the procedure. Neck Disability Index and pain visual analog scale values were also recorded at the same time.

Outcome Measures: The following were measured preoperatively and also at 3 months and 6 months after ACDF: active range of motion (full and painfree) in three planes (i.e., sagittal, coronal and horizontal), pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and headache frequency. The following were measured preoperatively and also at 3 months and 6 months after ACDF: active range of motion (full and painfree) in three planes (i.e., sagittal, coronal and horizontal), pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and headache frequency.

Results: Both painfree and full active range of motion did not change significantly from the preoperative measurement to the 3 month postoperative measurement (ps > .05). However, painfree and full active range of motion did increase significantly in all three iv planes of motion from the preoperative measurement to the 6 month postoperative measurement regardless of the number of levels fused (ps ≤ .023). VAS, NDI and headache frequency all improved significantly over time (ps ≤ .017).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that patients who have had an ACDF for cervical radiculopathy will experience improved range of motion in the long term following their procedure. In addition, patients can expect a decrease in pain, an improvement in neck function, and a decrease in headache frequency over the long term.

Keywords

Cervical vertebrae; Joints—Range of motion; Neck – Diseases; Neck – Wounds and injuries; Outcomes; Radiculopathy; Range of motion

Disciplines

Musculoskeletal System | Other Rehabilitation and Therapy | Physical Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy

File Format

pdf

File Size

2.739 Kb

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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