Current Management of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Publication/Presentation Date

2-1-2022

Abstract

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) develops insidiously as degenerative changes of the cervical spine impact the spinal cord. Unfortunately, CSM is a form of spinal cord injury in older patients that often experiences delayed treatment. This summary evaluates the pathophysiology, natural history, diagnosis, and current management of CSM. Frequently, patients do not appreciate or correlate their symptomatology with cervical spine disease, and those with radiographic findings may be clinically asymptomatic. Providers should remember the classic symptoms of CSM-poor hand dexterity, new unsteady gait patterns, new onset and progressive difficulty with motor skills. An magnetic resonance imaging is required in patients with suspected CSM, but computerized tomography myelography is an alternative in patients with implants as contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging. The management of those with CSM has continued to be a controversial topic. In general, patients with incidental findings of cervical cord compression that are asymptomatic can be managed conservatively. Those with daily moderate-severe disease that significantly affects activities of daily living should be treated operatively.

Volume

35

Issue

1

First Page

68

Last Page

68

ISSN

2380-0194

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

34379614

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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