Malaysian patient regains hand movement after cervical spine surgery in Shanghai

A 54-year-old Malaysian man whose cervical spine condition had severely affected his hands underwent surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University in Shanghai. The April 1, 2026 account describes his assessment, the surgical approach and his early recovery.

Hand difficulties progressed to unsteady walking

The patient, surnamed Chan, had ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, or OPLL, in his neck. The ligament behind the vertebrae had hardened and was compressing the spinal cord. As his condition worsened, buttoning a shirt, using chopsticks and holding a pen became extremely difficult.

Doctors in Malaysia had discussed surgery but warned him about a high risk of recurrence. A Malaysian doctor subsequently suggested seeking treatment in Shanghai, where Chan learned about a technique known as ACAF. By the time he reached the Shanghai hospital, his hand function had deteriorated further and his walking was also unsteady.

Moving the compressing structures forward

After a thorough assessment, spine surgeon Shi Jiangang proposed moving the ossified ligamentous block and the affected vertebra forward as a unit. The aim was to create space for the spinal cord and relieve pressure, rather than directly manipulating the compressed cord.

This was the surgical approach selected for Chan's assessed condition. The operation lasted more than four hours, and the team reported successful relief of the compression.

Early recovery after the operation

When Chan awoke from anaesthesia, he noticed that the persistent numbness had disappeared and that he could move his fingers again. The hospital account reported subsequent recovery of hand function and mobility.

For Chan, the reported improvement concerned both the small hand movements that had disrupted everyday activities and his ability to move about. He expressed gratitude to the medical team for restoring function and renewing his hope after the earlier consultations.