{"id":"fd557ca2-47e0-4bb8-8b99-35a252250564","slug":"cervical-laminoforaminotomy-for-radiculopathy-symptomatic-and-functional-outcomes-in-a-large-cohort-with-long-term-follow-up","title":"Cervical laminoforaminotomy for radiculopathy: Symptomatic and functional outcomes in a large cohort with long-term follow-up","authors":["Ephraim W. Church","Casey H. Halpern","Ryan W. Faught","Usha Balmuri","Mark A. Attiah","Sharon Hayden","Marie Kerr","Eileen Maloney-Wilensky","Janice Bynum","Stephen J. Dante","William C. Welch","Frederick A. Simeone"],"abstract":"Background: The efficacy and safety of cervical laminoforaminotomy (FOR) in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy has been demonstrated in several series with follow-up less than a decade. However, there is little data analyzing the relative effectiveness of FOR for radiculopathy due to soft disc versus osteophyte disease. In the present study, we review our experience with FOR in a single-center cohort, with long-term follow-up. Methods: We examined the charts of patients who underwent 1085 FORs between 1990 and 2009. A cohort of these patients participated in a telephone interview designed to assess improvement in symptoms and function. Results: A total of 338 interviews were completed with a mean follow-up of 10 years. Approximately 90% of interviewees reported improved pain, weakness, or function following FOR. Ninety-three percent of patients were able to return to work after FOR. The overall complication rate was 3.3%, and the rate of recurrent radiculopathy requiring surgery was 6.2%. Soft disc subtypes compared to osteophyte disease by operative report were associated with improved symptoms (P P < 0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that FOR is a highly effective surgical treatment for cervical radiculopathy with a low incidence of complications. Radiculopathy due to soft disc subtypes may be associated with a better prognosis compared to osteophyte disease, although osteophyte disease remains an excellent indication for FOR.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/fd557ca2-47e0-4bb8-8b99-35a252250564/featured/hero-1782420944699.png","publishDate":"2014-12-30T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.148029","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"http://sni.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/5894/SNI-5-536.pdf"}