Association Between Preoperative SF-36 and Postoperative Axial Neck Pain in Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy After Anterior Decompressive Surgery

A single-center retrospective study. This study investigates the correlation between preoperative SF-36 scores and postoperative axial neck pain (ANP) in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients undergoing anterior cervical surgery (ACS). The effects of the anterior surgical approach on ANP are not well understood. This retrospective study included patients with CSM at Peking University Third Hospital between April 2010 and March 2016. The SF-36, visual analog scale (VAS), and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years. In 107 CSM patients, ACS significantly improved pain, physical function, and quality of life over 2 years. VAS scores decreased from 6.4±2.3 to 3.8±1.9, indicating less ANP (P=0.013). SF-36 scores improved notably in social functioning and bodily pain domains. NDI scores also decreased, showing reduced neck disability (P=0.012). Patients with ANP post-ACS had consistently lower preoperative bodily pain and social functioning scores at follow-up of 3 timepoints. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between VAS and preoperative bodily pain and social functioning scores (P<0.05), suggesting that lower preoperative scores may predict severe postoperative ANP. Anterior cervical surgery does not increase the incidence of postoperative ANP in patients with CSM. The BP and SF domains of the preoperative SF-36 are correlated with the occurrence of postoperative ANP.