Chronic Myelopathy Associated With Cervical Spondylosis

Forty-two patients with cervical spondylosis and myelopathy underwent cervical laminectomy and foramenotomy. Twelve were severely disabled, and all demonstrated progressive functional deficit before operative intervention. Thirty-five (83.3%) showed definite improvement, whereas the conditions of seven (16.7%) have remained stable. None have shown evidence of further progression of disability. The degree of functional deficit preoperatively gives some index of prognosis following surgery, but five of the 12 who were severely disabled regained nearly full activity in the postoperative period. Patients who have cervical spondylosis and progressive myelopathy despite conservative treatment should be considered for cervical laminectomy and foramenotomy before severe functional deficit becomes apparent.