We have reviewed 1858 patients who had undergone a cervical laminoplasty and identified 43 (2.3%) who had developed a C5 palsy with a MMT (MRC) grade of 0 to 2 in the deltoid, with or without involvement of the biceps, but with no loss of muscular strength in any other muscles. The clinical features and radiological findings of patients with (group P; 43 patients) and without (group C; 100 patients) C5 palsy were compared. CT scanning of group P revealed a significant narrowing of the intervertebral foramen of C5 (p < 0.005) and a larger superior articular process (p < 0.05). On MRI, the posterior shift of the spinal cord at C4–5 was significantly greater in group P, than in group C (p < 0.01). This study is the first to correlate impairment of the C5 nerve root with a C5 palsy. It may be that early foraminotomy in susceptible individuals and the avoidance of tethering of the cord by excessive laminoplasty may prevent a post-operative palsy of the C5 nerve root.

Summary We examined 304 persons (135 males and 169 females) who underwent a basic health checkup to evaluate the relationship of quality of life (QOL) with osteoporosis, spinal sagittal balance, spinal mobility, muscle strength, and physical ability, including daily exercise. QOL of middle-aged and elderly subjects was strongly related to sagittal balance and physical ability. Introduction Spinal kyphosis with compression fracture and osteoporosis decrease QOL and increase mortality. However, it is unclear if kyphosis, spinal sagittal balance, muscle strength, and physical ability influence QOL. Purpose The goal of the study was to evaluate the relationship of QOL with osteoporosis, spinal sagittal balance, spinal mobility, back muscle strength, and physical ability, including daily exercise, in middle-aged and elderly people. Methods The subjects were 304 persons (135 males and 169 females) who underwent a basic health checkup. Lumbar lateral radiograph findings, sagittal balance and spinal mobility determined with SpinalMouse®, grip, back muscle strength, and 10-m gait time were evaluated. Results SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) scores showed a significant negative correlation with age (r = −0.375), spinal inclination angle (r = −0.322), and 10-m gait time (r = −0.470), and a significant positive correlation with percent of the young adult mean of bone mineral density (r = 0.223), lumbar lordosis angle (r = 0.184), thoracic spinal range of motion (ROM; r = 0.136), lumbar spinal ROM (r = 0.130), grip strength (r = 0.211), and back muscle strength (r = 0.301). In multiple regression analysis, age (r = −0.372, p < 0.0005), spinal inclination angle (r = −0.336, p < 0.05) and 10-m gait time (r = −2.898, p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with SF-36 PCS (R² = 0.288). In the exercise group, SF-36 PCS scores were significantly better (p < 0.05) due to good spinal balance, thoracic spinal ROM, back muscle strength, and gait speed. Conclusions QOL of middle-aged and elderly subjects was related to sagittal balance and physical ability. Thus, exercises for spine, muscle, and physical ability may improve QOL in middle-aged and elderly people.