Outcome in patients with cervical radiculopathy - Prospective, multicenterstudy with independent clinical review

Study Design. The Cervical Spine Research Society study is a prospective, n onrandomized, multicenter investigation of patients with cervical spondylos is and disc disease. In this analysis, only patients who had radiculopathy without myelopathy as the predominant symptom were considered. Objectives. To determine demographics, surgeon treatment practices, and out comes in patients with symptomatic radiculopathy. Summary of Background Data. Current data on patient demographics and treatm ent practices of surgeons do not exist. There are no published prospective studies in which outcomes, including pain, function, neurologic symptoms, a nd ability to perform activities of daily living, are systematically quanti fied. Methods. Patients were recruited by participating Cervical Spine Research S ociety surgeons. Demographic, symptomologic, and functional patient data we re compiled from surveys of patients and physicians completed at the time o f initial examination, and outcomes were assessed from surveys of patients completed after treatment. Data were compiled and statistically analyzed by a blinded third party. Results. Of the 503 patients enrolled by 41 CSRS surgeons, 246 (49%) had ra diculopathy. Patients had a mean duration of symptoms of 26.7 months (range , 8 weeks to >352 months) and a mean age of 48.1 +/- 12.42 years; 44.7% wer e female. Surgery was recommended for 86 (35%) of these patients. Of the 15 5 patients on whom there were follow-up data, 51 (33%) underwent surgery, w hereas 104 (67%) received medical treatment. Surgically treated patients ha d a significant improvement in pain, neurologic symptoms, functional status , and ability to perform activities of daily living. A significant number o f patients who underwent surgery reported persistent excruciating or horrib le pain on follow-up (26%). Patients treated medically also had significant improvement in pain and overall functional status. Conclusions. In summary, this study represents the first in-depth, prospect ive outcome analysis of patients with cervical spondylotic and discogenic r adiculopathy.