Facetal fixation-arthrodesis as treatment for cervical radiculopathy.

AIM: The efficacy of 'only fixation' as treatment for cervical radiculopathy is assessed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the period 2012 to December 2017, 21 patients who presented with primary symptoms related to cervical radiculopathy that included radiating pain, tingling paresthesia and numbness and weakness and wastingwere treated by facetal stabilization surgery that aimed at achieving segmental arthrodesis. No decompression by removal of bone, disc material or osteophyte was done.The ages of the patients ranged from 27 to 59 years. Nineteen patients were males and two were females. Imaging showed herniated disc in 4, disc bulge in 12 and osteophyte related foraminal stenosis in 5 patients. Transarticular screw fixation was deployed for surgery. The levels of cervical fixation was guided by clinical and radiological information and determined by direct observation of facet morphology and stability by manual manipulation of bones of the region.

RESULTS: All patients had 'remarkable' relief from presenting radicular symptoms in the 'immediate' postoperative period. VAS and NDI scores were used to assess the patient both before and after the surgical treatment. During the period of follow-up that ranged from 6 to 64 months, all patients continued to have satisfactory symptomatic relief.

CONCLUSIONS: Instability of the spinal segment is the nodal point of pathogenesis and the primary cause of symptoms related to degenerative spondylotic radiculopathy. The treatment is spinal stabilization. No direct bone or soft tissue decompression is necessary.