Value of Surgery and Nonsurgical Approaches for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: WFNS Spine Committee Recommendations

Abstract

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a common cause of adult spinal cord dysfunction. Although the therapeutic options for moderate to severe CSM patients have been established well, the existing guidelines for therapeutic decisions in mild cases of CSM are unclear. We present a review of literature on conservative treatment and surgery for CSM and suggest general recommendations applicable in various clinical presentations and in different geographic locations across the globe, with due considerations to available resources and locally prevalent practices.