We have treated patients with spinal injuries surgically to obtain neurological recovery, rigid stabilization and to allow for early rehabilitation. 119 patients with fractures or fracture-dislocations of the cervical spine underwent surgical treatment. In fracture-dislocations and flexion-tear drop fractures, we employed a surgical method called one-staged anterior-posterior reduction, decompression and stabilization. In burst fractures, we employed anterior decompression and fusion. 48% of the patients operated on within 48 hours after the injuries gained neurological recovery but only 30% of the patients operated within 2 weeks after the injuries recovered. Among patients treated surgically within 48 hours after the injuries, those suffered from fracture-dislocations showed better neurological recovery than those with fractures.
Our method of surgical treatment seemed to be benefit for neurologocal recovery and early rehabilitation.
