How do you diagnose and treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy?

Spinal cord pinching: Myelopathy means abnormality of spinal cord, and cervical spondylosis implies progressive deterioration of the neck vertebrae. Therefore, body changes eventually compress the cord in the neck. Mri films can demonstrate the compression. Treatment may require surgical decompression.

By: Diagnosis is by a history and exam with imaging studies like a mri, ct or ct/myelogram confirming the diagnosis. As this is almost always progressive but can vary in rate of progression surgery is indicated unless significant medical issues or extreme age. Treatment ranges from laminectomy, laminoplasty , laminectomy/fusion to anterior disectomies &/or corpectomies with fusion or combinations.