Single level cervical fusion by an anterior approach using autologous bone graft influences the adjacent levels degenerative changes: clinical and radiographic results at 10-year minimum follow-up

Introduction Cervical degenerative pathology can produce pain and disability and, in case of failure of conservative treatment surgery is indicated. Materials and methods 107 patients affected by single level cervical degenerative pathology were surgically treated by Cloward procedure. On radiographs, the sagittal segmental alignment (SSA) of the affected level and sagittal alignment of the cervical spine were measured. Results Preoperatively, mean SSA was 0.6 degrees and at the last follow-up 1.8 degrees. In particular, adjacentlevel degeneration occurred more frequently in Group A than in Group B. Conclusion Lordotic SSA angle can be considered a protective factor against adjacentlevel degeneration.