Abstract

Purpose
To analyze the risk of a fall in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and its clinical significance.
Materials and methods
40 patients with CSM who visited to our hospital From May 2014 to April 2015 were enrolled in this study. After confirmation of CSM based on MRI and Physical examination, patients were divided into three groups according to m-JOA score (Group A; severe; score <8, Group B; moderate; score 8-12, Group C; mild score >13). All patients enrolled in this study performed 4 functional assessment test including Alternative-Step Test (AST), Six-MeterWalk Test (SMT), Sit-to-Stand test (STS), and Timed Up and Go test (TUGT) to assess the risk of a falls (ROF).
Results
There were statistical significance between m-JOA score and ROF except for SMT. Average time (seconds) for STST was 26.12±5.60, 20.99±5.92 and 15.37±3.41 in group A, B, C, respectively (p=0.001), Although average time(s) for AST was 16.81±3.83, 14.39±4.05 and 12.37±3.95 in group A, B, C with no statistical significance (p=0.106), there was a significance between the value of Group A and C (p=0.047). Average time(s) for TUGT was 31.86±17.05, 15.09±4.59,18.04±9.32 in group A, B, C, respectively, showed statistical significance (p=0.000).
Conclusion
According to its severity of myelopathy, it took more time to carry out each ROF assessment tests. Among 4 functional assessment tests of ROF, STST showed the most highest correlation with mJOA socre. Careful attention of ROF will be needed in patients with myelopathy.

• Keywords: Cervical spine, Cervical spondylotic myelopathy, Gait disturbance, MJOA score, Risk of a fall