The treatment choices for cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation

Objective To compare the difference of functional recovery level of spinal cord after surgical treatment or conservative treatment of cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation. Methods Twenty-eight cases of cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation were retrospectively analyzed and divided into surgical group(n=15) and conservative group (n=13). Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores at injury and during follow-up were recorded to make a comparison of the increase amplitudes between the two groups before and after treatment. Results The increase amplitudes of JOA scores were 1.92±0.58 in the conservative group and 4.93±0.91 in the surgical group 3 months after treatment, 2.71±0.64 and 6.24±0.93 respectively 6 months after treatment, and 4.23±0.75 and 7.80±0.98 respectively 12 months after treatment. There was a significant difference statistically both in the two groups by t test (P0.01). Conclusion Surgical treatment is superior to conservative treatment. Once the final diagnosis of cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation is verified, the surgical treatment should be carried out as early as possible.