Outcome of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy seen at a rehabilitation centre.

A retrospective study was conducted on 21 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy to study the clinical characteristics of these patients and the influence of surgery and rehabilitation on their outcome. All the patients were 50 years and above, with a mean age of 63.6 years. The most common presenting feature was weakness of all the limbs. Neckache was not a prominent finding. Although only 2 patients complained of bladder disturbance, 6 other patients were found to have bladder dysfunction after urodynamic assessment. Clinical outcome after surgery was 50% improved, 28% unchanged and 22% worsened. Fifty percent of the patients with voiding problems recovered after bladder training. Rehabilitation was significant in assisting in the recovery of patients after surgery. One patient had a disabling stroke 4 days after cervical surgery while another died of urinary tract infection while undergoing rehabilitation.