Occupational recovery after open-door type laminoplasty for patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey of occupational recovery after surgery with patients who had ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Objectives: To evaluate occupational recovery after open-door type laminoplasty for patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Summary Of Background Data: The literature contains numerous reports on the surgical results of laminoplasty for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, but very few reports are available on postoperative quality of life, and even fewer on occupational recovery after laminoplasty.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 301 patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine who were employed before open-door type laminoplasty. Presurgical occupations were classified into three categories: light sedentary labor, light standing labor, and heavy labor. High-rise workers and professional drivers were analyzed separately. The subjects were rated by occupational category for determining the occupational recovery ratio. Factors analyzed for impact on recovery were pre- and postsurgery severity of myelopathy, duration of myelopathy, age at surgery, gender, and type of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Results: Of the 301 patients studied, 160 (53%) returned to work. Poor recovery rates were observed for heavy labor, high-rise workers, and professional drivers. The period required for return to work did not significantly differ among occupational categories. Occupation, presurgery severity of myelopathy, and postsurgery severity of myelopathy were significantly correlated with occupational recovery.

Conclusion: Patients' occupations should be carefully considered when designing postsurgery occupational rehabilitation programs, and patients should receive postoperative advice regarding the suitability of occupation.