Cervical Spondylosis

Abstract

Spondylosis provokes osteophytic formation and narrowing of the spinal canal and intervertebral foramina. Radiculopathy or myelopathy or both may occur, but there is no absolute correlation between neurologic involvement and roentgenologic evidence of spondylosis. Myelography is essential in diagnosis. Conservative treatment may be helpful in the radicular and milder cord syndromes, but advancing signs and progressive disability call for consideration of surgical intervention. Laminectomy with posterior foraminotomy or anterior intervertebral disk removal with fusion is indicated for root decompression, and anterior intervertebral disk removal with interbody fusion is indicated for spinal cord decompression.