Posterior surgery for cervical myelopathy: indications, techniques, and outcomes

Orthop Clin North Am. 2012 Jan;43(1):29-40, vii-viii. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2011.09.003.

Abstract

This article details the controversies associated with the different treatment strategies in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The natural history, incidence, pathophysiology, physical examination, and imaging findings are discussed followed by the indications, techniques, and outcomes of patients treated with posterior cervical decompression via decompressive laminectomy, laminectomy and instrumented fusion, and laminoplasty.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Laminectomy / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Measurement
  • Patient Positioning*
  • Patient Selection
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / surgery*
  • Spinal Fusion / methods
  • Spondylosis / diagnosis
  • Spondylosis / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome