The article discusses a retrospective analysis of surgical therapies for cervicalgia, cervical radiculopathy, and cervical myelopathy in active duty military service members. The study examines the effectiveness and safety of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) as treatment options, specifically when performed while serving overseas (OCONUS). The analysis of patient and procedural data shows that both ACDF and CDA are effective and safe procedures for active duty patients. The surgeries can be performed OCONUS with minimal interruption to the patients, their families, and the military unit, while also maintaining surgical readiness for the surgeon and the military treatment facility. The study found that the majority of patients were able to return to duty without restrictions, with only a small percentage remaining on partial or limited duty
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : innovative day surgery spinal centre on Harley Street UK
Published article
CONCLUSIONS: Both ACDF and CDA are effective and safe surgical procedures for active duty patients with cervicalgia, cervical radiculopathy, and cervical myelopathy. They can be performed OCONUS with minimal interruption to the patient, their family, and the military unit, while helping to maintain surgical readiness for the surgeon and the military treatment facility.
Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Introduction: Among U.S. military active duty service members, cervicalgia, cervical radiculopathy, and myelopathy are common causes of disability, effecting job performance and readiness, often leading to medical separation from the military. Among surgical therapies, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) are options in select cases; however, elective surgeries performed,
Abstract
Introduction: Among U.S. military active duty service members, cervicalgia, cervical radiculopathy, and myelopathy are common causes of disability, effecting job performance and readiness, often leading to medical separation from the military. Among surgical therapies, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) are options in select cases; however, elective surgeries performed while serving overseas (OCONUS) have not been studied.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected surgical database from an OCONUS military treatment facility over a 2-year period (2019-2021) was queried. Patient and procedural data were collected to include ACDF or CDA surgery, military rank, age, tobacco use, pre- and post-operative visual analogue scales for pain, and presence of radiographic fusion after surgery for ACDF patients or heterotopic ossification for CDA patients. Chi-square and Student t-test analyses were performed to identify variables associated with return to full duty.
Results: A total of 47 patients (25 ACDF and 22 CDA) underwent surgery with an average follow-up of 192.1 days (range 7-819 days). Forty-one (87.2%) patients were able to return to duty without restrictions; 10.6% of patients remained on partial or limited duty at latest follow-up and one patient was medically separated from the surgical cohort. There was one complication and one patient required tour curtailment from overseas duty for ongoing symptoms.
Conclusions: Both ACDF and CDA are effective and safe surgical procedures for active duty patients with cervicalgia, cervical radiculopathy, and cervical myelopathy. They can be performed OCONUS with minimal interruption to the patient, their family, and the military unit, while helping to maintain surgical readiness for the surgeon and the military treatment facility.
The London Spine Unit : innovative day surgery spinal centre on Harley Street UK
Read the original publication:
Effect ofFusion andArthroplasty forCervical Degenerative Disc Disease inActive Duty Service Members Performed at an Overseas Military Treatment Facility: A 2-Year Retrospective Analysis
