Post-operative neurological improvement is associated with significant neck pain attenuation after surgery for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: a prospective multicenter registry study

Although favourable surgical outcomes for myelopathy caused by cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) have been reported, factors significantly associated with post-operative neck pain attenuation still remain unclear. The primary aim of the present study was to determine factors significantly associated with post-operative neck pain attenuation in patients with cervical OPLL using a prospective multi-centre registry of surgically treated cervical OPLL. Significant postoperative neck pain reduction (50% reduction of neck pain) was achieved in 84 patients (30.9%). There was no significant difference in neck pain attenuation between surgical procedures. Statistical analyses revealed neurological recovery as a factor having a significant positive association with post-operative neck pain attenuation ( p  = 0.04). Neurological recovery was an independent factor having a significant positive association with post-operative neck pain attenuation in patients with cervical myelopathy caused by OPLL who underwent cervical spine surgery.