Degenerative disorders of the cervical spine

Abstract

Degenerative alterations of the cervical spine are usually referred to as cervical spondylosis. This entity represents a mixed group of pathologies involving the intervertebral discs, vertebrae, and/or associated joints and can be due to aging (wear and tear, degeneration) or secondary to trauma. The predominant clinical symptom is neck pain, which is often associated with shoulder pain. The degenerative alterations can lead to a central or foraminal stenosis compromising nerve roots or spinal cord (Fig. 1). These pathologies are termed cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), respectively. CSR should be differentiated from disc herniation related radiculopathy. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.