CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT FOR CERVICAL SPONDYLOTIC MYELOPATHY - ACHIEVEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF A LEVEL OF NO DISABILITY

We retrospectively reviewed 64 patients treated by the following metho ds: continuous head halter traction in bed (2 patients), cervical brac e (19 patients), plaster bed holding head and trunk (15 patients), and Crutchfield's skull traction (28 patients), using the Japanese Orthop aedic Association grading system of motor function. A rate of ''no dis ability'' was achieved in 27% in the upper and 26% in the lower extrem ities. The achieved function was maintained in most patients, and some improved further during the follow-up period (3-10 years). The overal l achievement rate was 34% in the upper and 28% in the lower extremiti es. Because the rate was significantly influenced by the degree of dis ability before treatment, the candidates are patients with mild disabi lity for whom ''no disability'' is the goal.