Clinicoradiological evaluation of cervical spine locking plate in cervical spine injuries (A prospective and retrospective study)

Background Context: Restoration of spinal cord function after injury remains a major challenge to those treating paralyzed victims. While prevention and treatment of secondary cord damage continues to be a primary objective, the ability to reverse established cord dysfunction is a major goal. Purpose: Clinical and radiological evaluation of results of Cervical Spine Locking Plate in prospective and retrospective cases of lower cervical spine injuries. Study Design/Setting: It is a prospective as well as retrospective study. Patient Sample: Study was conducted prospectively on 28 patients and retrospectively on 20 patients making total of 48 patients. Methods: After meeting all the criteria’s patients were enrolled into the study and assessed clinically and radiologically and were taken up for surgery. Postoperatively patients were clinico-radiologically evaluated and followed and outcome was analyzed statistically. Results: There was statistically significant neurological recovery in most of the patients. Conclusions: Decompression of the spinal cord and stabilization with anterior cervical plates prevents the further damage to spinal cord, allows early mobility in neurological intact patients and rehabilitation becomes easy in patients having neurological deficit.