Predictors of return to work after anterior cervical discectomy

Return to previous level of employment after surgery is important to patien ts. Predictors of return to work have been well described in lumbar disc su rgery, However, this information cannot be generalized to the population un dergoing cervical discectomy. The authors retrospectively reviewed 67 conse cutive patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy. Strict inclusio n criteria were used, Baseline demographics were recorded as well as other potential predictors of postoperative return to work such as number of leve ls of disease, smoking history, and disability claims. Follow-up informatio n about work status was reviewed with each patient at office visit. Forty-f ive patients were found eligible fur the study. At a mean follow-up of 2.8 years (SD 1.4), 38% had not returned to work by I year. Preoperative sick l eave in this group was significantly greater than for those patients who re turned to work within the year (p = 0.0014). postoperative neck pain was mo re common in individuals who did not return to work after surgery (p = 0.01 ). Increasing age and disability claims also appeared to negatively impact the ability to return to work. Gender, type of work, smoking history, and n umber of levels of disc disease did not appear to have any association with postoperative return to work. The authors conclude that the duration preop erative sick leave and postoperative neck pain negatively impact postoperat ive work status in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy. Age an d disability claims also influence return to work.