The value of a new method for assessing the separate functions of the longtracts and involved segments in patients with cervical myelopathy

In order to assess accurately lesions of the spinal cord in patients with c ervical myelopathy we have developed a new method of examination, which is based on the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system. The met hod attempts to assess separately the functions of the long tract and any i nvolved cord segments in respect to the period after treatment. It was used in 117 consecutive patients who were divided into 2 groups based on whethe r or not there was a T2-high-intensity lesion within the spinal cord, as re vealed by a preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI). The results of this method correlated well with the MRI findings. It was assumed that the degree of function of the upper limbs in patients with a T2-high-intens ity lesion revealed more about a segment than about the long tract.