Standards in Spinal Surgery learned from Clinical Cases:

Cervical Spondylosis

Abstract

Cervical spondylosis is a common spinal disorder associated with degenerative changes of the cervical spine. The symptoms originate from multiple factors such as compressions of the nerve roots and spinal cord, contraction of the paravertebral muscles or degenerative joints of the spine. Precise neurological examinations and appropriate preoperative imaging studies are important in making decisions about the course of treatment. Recent advances in cervical instruments and surgical techniques have provided a variety of surgical options both in anterior and posterior decompression procedures. This article describes the current standards of diagnosis and selection of surgical treatment in cervical spondylosis based both on my clinical experience and a literature review.