Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

What is it?

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM) is one of the most common neck conditions that can occur with age. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, signs of osteoarthritis develop. It typically affects people over the age of 50, but CSM can occur in younger patients if there was a spinal cord injury earlier in life.

Symptoms

Symptoms of CSM include weakness in the arms and legs, difficulty walking or keeping the balance, pain that radiates down patients’ arms, and stiff and painful neck

Diagnosis

To diagnose CSM, the doctor will perform a thorough physical evaluation, looking for numbness, weakness, atrophy, and abnormal reflexes, and may also ask for an x-ray, MRI scan or myelogram (a specialized type of CT scan).

Treatment

There are a few nonsurgical treatment options for CSM, including:

Anti-inflammatory medications can reduce swelling and discomfort.
Soft collars help the neck muscles rest and can decrease the pinching of nerve roots.
Physical therapy improves neck strength and flexibility, and in that way decreases pain and discomfort.

Surgical treatment

Surgery to treat Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy is used to open the space for the spinal cord. There are different surgical options depending on factors like the severity of the CSM and its location on the spinal cord.