
Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(12):740-750
Patient information: See related handout on degenerative cervical myelopathy
Author disclosure: No relevant financial affiliations.
Degenerative cervical myelopathy encompasses a collection of pathologic conditions that result in progressive spinal cord dysfunction secondary to cord compression. Patients are typically male (3:1 male-to-female ratio), and the average age of presentation is 64 years. The exact incidence is unclear because of differences in terminology and because radiographic findings can be present in asymptomatic individuals. Common examination findings include neck pain or stiffness, a wide-based ataxic gait, ascending paresthesia in the upper or lower extremities, lower extremity weakness, decreased hand dexterity, hyperreflexia, clonus, Babinski sign, and bowel or bladder dysfunction in severe disease. Definitive diagnosis requires correlation of physical examination findings with imaging findings. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine with and without contrast media is the preferred imaging modality. Cervical spine computed tomography, computed tomography myelography, and plain radiography are helpful in certain situations. Treatment depends on the presence and severity of symptoms. Surgery is recommended for patients with moderate to severe symptoms or rapidly progressive disease. Conservative treatments with monitoring for progression may be considered in patients with mild to moderate disease. The evidence for the effectiveness of conservative treatments is scarce and of low quality, and outcomes can vary with individual patients. Primary care physicians play a vital role in recognizing the typical presentation of degenerative cervical myelopathy, coordinating treatment as indicated, and managing comorbidities.
Degenerative deterioration of the vertebrae, intervertebral disks, the facet, and other joints of the spine can result in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.1,2 Hypertrophy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and the ligamentum flavum can lead to spinal cord compression, injury, and subsequent myelopathy.3

Acute transverse myelitis | Liver disease |
Alcohol abuse | Multiple sclerosis |
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | Paraneoplastic syndrome |
Copper or vitamin B12 deficiency | Parkinson disease |
Cubital or carpal tunnel syndrome | Syphilis |
Guillain-Barré syndrome | Syringomyelia |
HIV or human T-lymphotropic virus 1 infection | Viral encephalitis |
A combination of static and dynamic factors plays a role in the development of symptomatic degenerative cervical myelopathy.5–7 Patients with the condition typically present in their late 50s to early 60s with signs and symptoms ranging from vague cervical spine pain to frank myelopathy from significant spinal cord compression. Patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy usually deteriorate over time; however, the rate of deterioration is unpredictable and highly variable.8,9
Patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy often first present to their primary care physicians with a wide range of symptoms. Although conservative treatment is an acceptable initial approach for patients with mild to moderate symptoms, 20% to 60% of these patients deteriorate over three to six years and may eventually require surgical intervention.7,10,11 Studies have shown that a delay in diagnosis and referral by primary care physicians can lead to poorer outcomes.12 Therefore, it is important to promptly recognize, evaluate, and appropriately refer patients with signs and symptoms of degenerative cervical myelopathy. Primary care physicians play a vital role not only in diagnosis but in treatment coordination and comorbidity management.
Incidence and Prevalence
Degenerative cervical myelopathy is the most common degenerative, nontraumatic, and progressive form of spinal cord compression worldwide.3,10,13,14 It is also recognized as the leading cause of spinal cord impairment and indication for cervical spine surgery worldwide.15,16 Because of differences in terminology, it is difficult to determine the exact incidence and prevalence of degenerative cervical myelopathy. In North America, the published annual incidence is 41 per 1 million and prevalence is 605 per 1 million.3,14 In the United States alone, 15,000 to 20,000 people are hospitalized every year for treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy at a cost of several hundred million dollars.17 The average age at presentation is 64 years, it is more common in men (3:1 male-to-female ratio), and C5–C6 is the most common level of cord compression followed by C6–C7 and C4–C5.1,18,19
The high prevalence of asymptomatic individuals with radiographic evidence of cervical degeneration presents a challenge in determining the burden of this condition and supports the importance of a thorough clinical history and physical examination to avoid overdiagnosis. Multiple studies have shown that in patients older than 40 years, 50% to 60% have evidence of disk degeneration, 20% have foraminal stenosis, and upwards of 10% have clinically significant root or cord compression.1,8,9,19 These numbers increase with age, and 95% of men and 70% of women older than 70 years have evidence of cervical spondylosis.15,18
Subscribe
From $145- Immediate, unlimited access to all AFP content
- More than 130 CME credits/year
- AAFP app access
- Print delivery available
Issue Access
$59.95- Immediate, unlimited access to this issue's content
- CME credits
- AAFP app access
- Print delivery available
Article Only
$25.95- Immediate, unlimited access to just this article
- CME credits
- AAFP app access
- Print delivery available