How common is it for somebody to get cervical myelopathy?

Not so common: Cervical myelopathy is a condtion of the neck where spurs cause narrowing of the spinal canal with injury to the spinal cord. Sometimes this is reversible and other times it is permanent. It does not occur that often. This is a condition requiring surgery as the spinal canal must be restored to a normal caliber. If not, paralysis can occur.

Pretty common: It is fairly common, though not as common as neck pain without nerve type symptoms or radiculopathy (arm pain, numbness, tingling, weakness due to irritation or pressure on a nerve rather than the spinal cord itself).