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 3 Comparison of ASIA and JOA scores before and after surgery between the groups of different fused segments

Items	Follow-up	1 level (n = 32)	2 levels (n = 27)	3 levels (n = 19)	p
ASIA score	Preoperative	51.08 ± 12.52 ^a	48.97 ± 9.88^a	50.16 ± 10.52^a	> 0.05
	Postop. 1 month	63.13 ± 8.79	59.87 ± 12.03	62.73 ± 9.89	> 0.05
	Postop. 6 months	80.09 ± 6.86	78.91 ± 7.12	70.23 ± 6.72	< 0.05
	Postop. 12 months	81.21 ± 7.84	80.02 ± 8.93	69.52 ± 9.01	< 0.05
	Postop. 24 months	84.36 ± 7.58	82.91 ± 8.72	71.84 ± 8.20	< 0.05
JOA score	Preoperative	7.89 ± 1.86^a	7.74 ± 1.59^a	7.68 ± 1.68^a	> 0.05
	Postop. 1 month	9.87 ± 2.01	9.79 ± 1.56	9.96 ± 1.86	> 0.05
	Postop. 6 months	11.47 ± 1.76	11.26 ± 1.61	11.04 ± 1.69	> 0.05
	Postop. 12 months	13.04 ± 2.31	12.94 ± 1.88	10.98 ± 1.81	< 0.05
	Postop. 24 months	13.87 ± 1.68	13.79 ± 2.09	11.85 ± 1.74	< 0.05

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

ISSN: 1749-799X