Clinical analysis of the effects of exenatide combined with ACDF on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy

Objective To explore the therapeutic effects of exenatide combined with anterior cervical disc decompression and fusion (ACDF) on the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Methods Patients who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University due to cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and underwent ACDF from February 2017 to December 2019 were selected, where 50 patients were treated with ACDF alone (group ACDF) and 50 patients were treated with a combination of ACDF and exenatide (group ACDF+exenatide).Both groups were compared for the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) score, the cervical curvature and range of motion (ROM)of the operative segments and electromyography . Results After 1 month and 3 months of treatment, group ACDF+exenatide presented remarkably improved VAS score, JOA score and electromyography results, compared with group ACDF (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in cervical curvature, ROM and blood glucose level between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions The combined use of ACDF and exenatide is superior to ACDF alone in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, without significant effects on blood glucose level.