Biomechanical investigation of post-operative C5 palsy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in different types of cervical spinal alignment. (24th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khuyagbaatar, Batbayar; Kim, Kyungsoo; Park, Won Man; Kim, Yoon Hyuk
• Is Part Of: Journal of biomechanics. Volume 57(2017)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2017-05-24
• Subjects: C5 palsy -- Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament -- Cervical spine -- Biomechanics -- Finite element analysis; Animal mechanics -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; Mécanique animale -- Périodiques; Biomécanique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 571.4305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.03.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9290

Abstract

Abstract: Post-operative C5 palsies are among the most common complications seen after cervical surgery for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Although C5 palsy is a well-known complication of cervical spine surgery, its pathogenesis is poorly understood and depends on many other factors. In this study, a finite element model of the cervical spine and spinal cord-nerve roots complex structures was developed. The changes in stress in the cord and nerve roots, posterior shift of the spinal cord, and displacement and elongation of the nerve roots after laminectomy for cervical OPLL were analyzed for three different cervical sagittal alignments (lordosis, straight, and kyphosis). The results suggest that high stress concentrated on the nerve roots after laminectomy could be the main cause of C5 palsy because ossification of ligaments increases spinal cord shifting and root displacement. The type of sagittal alignment had no influence on changes in cord stress after laminectomy, although cases of kyphosis with a high degree of occupying ratio resulted in greater increases in nerve root stress after laminectomy. Therefore, kyphosis with a high OPLL occupying ratio could be a risk factor for poor surgical outcomes or post-operative complications and should be carefully considered for surgical treatment.