Evaluation of Skull Traction for Cervical Myelopathy

Thirty-one cases of cervical myelopathy treated by skull traction were studied to clarify its clinical effect.The results were as follows.1. Clinical effects of skull traction for cervical myelopathy were found in 22 of all 31 cases and the results of that were 7 cases in excellent, 16 cases in improved, 6 cases in unchanged and 2 cases in worsened.2. In most cases the effects of skull traction appeared in a few days and lasted for 2 to 3 weeks.3. The most improved symptom was gait disturbance, and urinary dysfunction was scarcely improved.4. The results of skull traction were not always satisfactory in terms of ADL except for 2 cases of cervical disc herniation, and 26 cases needed surgical treatment eventually.5. The results of traction were not influenced by age, severity of myelopathy, diameter of spinal canal, range of motion and existence of dynamic canal stenosis except for duration of symptom.6. Postoperative results were in proportion to effects of skull traction.