Quantitative changes in gait parameters after central corpectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Object. In this study, quantitative gait analysis is used to describe the changes in the kinematic and kinetic parameters of gait after central corpectomy in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods. Six men with CSM that was categorized preoperatively as Nurick Grade 3 or 4 were assessed using quantitative gait analysis. The values of various kinematic and kinetic parameters, physiological cost index, and range of motion (ROM) in the lower-limb joints were computed preoperatively as well as at follow-up review 12 months or more postoperatively. Patients also received scores based on the Nurick and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) lower-limb functional scales pre- and postoperatively. The mean Nurick grade improved from 3.3 to 2 (p = 0.02) and the mean JOA lower-limb score improved from 4.2 to 6 (p = 0.02). The forward ground reaction force showed a statistically significant increase from 10.8 +/- 4.1% body weight to 12.1 +/- 3.6% body weight (p = 0.04). There was a significant improvement in the ROM at the knees, from 48.6 +/- 7.7 degrees to 54.2 +/- 5.2 degrees (p = 0.03). There was an increase in the mean walking speed, stride length, percentage of single-limb support time, vertical and backward ground reaction forces, and ROM at the hips in the postoperative gait analysis. These results indicate an improved stability of gait as well as greater flexibility in the knee after decompression of the spinal cord. These changes correlated with an improvement in the functional status of patients with CSM after central corpectomy. Conclusions. Gait analysis can be used as a quantitative toot in the pre- and postoperative evaluation of patients with CSM.