Early and short-segment anterior spinal fusion for cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation can achieve more significant neurological recovery: a retrospective study based on the current medical system in southern China

Table 2 Comparison of ASIA and JOA scores before and after surgery between early and delayed surgery groups

Items	Follow-up	< 72 h (n = 38)	> 72 h (n = 40)	p
ASIA score	Preoperative	49.81 ± 11.52^a	51.33 ± 10.74^a	> 0.05
	Postop. 1 month	62.13 ± 9.89	59.87 ± 12.03	> 0.05
	Postop. 6 months	78.56 ± 6.44	64.28 ± 7.39	< 0.05
	Postop. 12 months	81.77 ± 8.31	66.91 ± 9.27	< 0.05
	Postop. 24 months	85.87 ± 7.43	71.06 ± 10.91	< 0.05
JOA score	Preoperative	7.83 ± 1.72^a	7.76 ± 1.72^a	> 0.05
	Postop. 1 month	9.85 ± 1.73	9.78 ± 1.89	> 0.05
	Postop. 6 months	12.77 ± 1.64	10.35 ± 1.64	< 0.05
	Postop. 12 months	13.81 ± 1.46	10.90 ± 2.03	< 0.05
	Postop. 24 months	14.79 ± 1.35	12.27 ± 1.74	< 0.05

ASIA American Spinal Injury Association, JOA Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Postop postoperative, h hours
^aCompared with the ASIA and JOA scores at postoperative 1, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery in the same group, p < 0.05

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