Table 3 Comparison of the VAS, JOA score, and JOA recovery rate at pre-operation and each time point postoperatively and between groups

Preoperative

5.36 + 1.97

5.21 + 1.69

7.63 + 1.47

8.25 + 1.51

Postoperation

1st month after surgery

2.82 + 0.72^a,b

3.38 + 0.97^b

13.35 + 1.16^a,b

12.46 + 1.67^b

60.32 + 14.00^a

48.30 + 18.82

3rd month after surgery

2.15 + 0.65^a,b

2.58 + 0.78^b

14.32 + 0.98^a,b

13.29 + 1.30^b

70.76 + 12.29^a

57.93 + 13.67

Final follow-up

1.21 + 0.42^a,b

1.54 + 0.58^b

14.61 + 0.83^a,b

13.96 + 0.95^b

73.81 + 10.48^a

65.59 + 9.31