Abstract: Introduction: Cervical radiculopathy is one of the most common symptoms of disc herniation although; it can also be associated with osteoarthritis of uncovertebral and facet joints. Patients with cervical radicular syndrome due to disc herniation who are refractory to Lifestyle modification and conservative management are offered ACD which is the standard procedure, often in combination with inter body fusion. ACD is widely accepted as standard procedure for cervical disc radiculopathy but fusion is still controversial. This study is intended to observe the role of ACDF with anterior cervical plate in cases of cervical disc Herniation and, its effects on cervical mobility, complications and the neurological improvement.
Objective: To study the Functional outcome ACDF with anterior cervical plate in cases of cervical disc herniation with respect to Post-operative neurological improvement, effect on quality of life and complications associated with procedure.
Material and methods: A prospective follow – up study of functional outcome following ACDF with Anterior locking plate in patients with Cervical Disc herniation. A sample size of minimum 50 patients was selected using purposive sampling technique. Clinical improvement was studied during follow up at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 9months and a Functional score was obtained using SF-36 questionnaire, Neck disability index score, and Visual analog scale at these visits. Statistical Analysis of the data was done by Friedman test, ANOVA and Wilcoxon signed rank test. X
Result Statistical significant improvement seen in SF-36 scores, Neck disability index score, and Visual analog scale was seen in study (P<0.01). No worsening of neurological deficit or donor site morbidity found in the study of 50 patients. SF-36scores, NDI score as well as VAS scores featured gradual and constant improvement during the follow-up with best scores presenting 9 months after surgery.
Conclusion: Cervical plating increases the rate of fusion and decreases the change of graft related complication. Thus this study shows that the improved clinical outcome and fusion and low complication rate associated with anterior cervical plating may justify its use for cervical disc fusion.
