Both ventral and dorsal surgeries improve outcomes in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Affecting the vast majority of people older than 65, cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the leading cause of spinal cord dysfunction in the United States and across the world.
It occurs when vertebrae in the neck, also called the cervical spine, begin to compress the spinal cord, leading to a wide variety of symptoms, including tingling or numbness in the hands and arms, loss of coordination and balance, bladder dysfunction, and pain or stiffness in the neck.
In the United States, more than 100,000 patients with severe symptoms decide to undergo surgery for CSM each year. However, few studies provide evidence as to which of the several surgical approaches available lead to optimal patient outcomes.