Abstract: Objective To assess the cause of axial symptom and the degree of inlfuence on cervical range of motion and axial symptom caused by the different duration of wearing a cervical collar in patients undergoing open-door laminoplasty. Methods From January 2010 to September 2011, a total of thirty-six patients underwent open-door laminoplasty and wore a cervical collar for 4 weeks .All of them were classiifed as group A. As the same, from January 2009 to January 2011 twenty-two patients wearing a cervical collar for 8-12 weeks were classiifed as group B. In both groups the neurologic recovery rate, cervical range of motion and axial symptom were recorded and compared. Results There was no signiifcant difference in the neurologic recovery rate between the two groups. But in group A, the cervical range was maintained effectively than that of group B (P<0.05). Meanwhile there was signiifcantly difference in axial symptom (P<0.05). Conclusion Patients treated with open-door laminoplasty, wearing a cervical collar can gain a good neurologic recovery rate, maintain the cervical rangeeffectively and reduce axial symptom obviously.

Key words: cervicalspondylotic myelopathy, laminoplasty, range of motion, axial symptom, rehabilitation