Prognostic factors have been studied in cases of cervical disc herniation treated with cervical discectomy and fusion. To date, there are no relevant studies on prognostic factors using cervical prostheses.
In any case, the preoperative variables that negatively affect surgical outcomes are as follows:
1-Involvement in a legal process for requesting work disability.
2-Use of narcotics to alleviate pain.
Conversely, the preoperative variables that positively affect surgical outcomes are as follows:
3-High score on the NDI (Neck Disability Index) test.
4-Absence of sensory symptoms.
The NDI test assesses how much cervical pathology impacts daily life. The higher the score, the less daily life is affected and thus the greater the chances of recovery. However, if your score is low, it implies significant impairment and may indicate a less favorable outcome.
In any case, if your condition according to the NDI test shows some disability, it may be time not to wait and to address your situation. Studies conducted (see references) demonstrate that, for example, in cases with a 60% NDI (severe disability), after surgery with placement of an artificial cervical disc, improvement reaches NDI results between 11% and 26%.
These variables appear consistent because the greater the nerve root involvement due to compression from cervical disc herniation—manifested as greater sensory deficit, more pain, and worse NDI test results—the longer the recovery time after surgery. The factor related to being involved in a work disability request process may be associated with a significant psychosocial component of suffering.
References:
-Spine J. 2010 Aug;10(8):689-96. The factors that influence the postoperative segmental range of motion after cervical artificial disc replacement. Kang KC1, Lee CS, Han JH, Chung SS.
-SAS J. 2008;2(2):76–85. Two-Year Results of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing ProDisc-C and Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. Daniel B. Murrey, MD; Michael E. Janssen, MD; Susan M. Odum, MEd, CCRC; Jon R. Gottlieb, MD; Leo R. Spector, MD; and Bruce V. Darden, MD,
