Conservative treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: achievement and sustainability of a level of "no disability".

We retrospectively reviewed 64 patients treated by the following methods: continuous head halter traction in bed (2 patients), cervical brace (19 patients), plaster bed holding head and trunk (15 patients), and Crutchfield's skull traction (28 patients), using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association grading system of motor function. A rate of "no disability" was achieved in 27% in the upper and 26% in the lower extremities. The achieved function was maintained in most patients, and some improved further during the follow-up period (3-10 years). The overall achievement rate was 34% in the upper and 28% in the lower extremities. Because the rate was significantly influenced by the degree of disability before treatment, the candidates are patients with mild disability for whom "no disability" is the goal.