Cervical Spondylosis Questions & Answers

Updated: Aug 11, 2021
  • Author: Hassan Ahmad Hassan Al-Shatoury, MD, PhD, MHPE; Chief Editor: Dean H Hommer, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is cervical spondylosis?

What is the pathophysiology of cervical spondylosis?

What is the prevalence of cervical spondylosis in the US?

What is the global prevalence of cervical spondylosis?

What is the mortality/morbidity associated with cervical spondylosis?

What is the racial predilection of cervical spondylosis?

How does the incidence of cervical spondylosis vary by sex?

How does the incidence of cervical spondylosis vary by age?

Presentation

What is the presentation of pain in cervical spondylosis?

What is the presentation of cervical radiculopathy in cervical spondylosis?

What is the presentation of cervical myelopathy in cervical spondylosis?

How is cervical spondylotic myelopathy categorized?

What are the less common manifestations of cervical spondylosis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of cervical spondylosis?

What causes cervical spondylosis?

DDX

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of cervical spondylosis?

What are the differential diagnoses for Cervical Spondylosis?

Workup

What is the role of lab studies in the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis?

What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis?

What is the role of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis?

What is the role of electrodiagnostic tests in the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis?

What is the role of cervical diskography in the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis?

When are urodynamic studies indicated in the workup of cervical spondylosis?

Which histologic findings suggest cervical spondylosis?

Treatment

What is the role of physical therapy in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

What is the role of occupational therapy in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

What is the role of recreational therapy in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

What are complications of cervical spondylosis?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

What are the anterior surgical approaches in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

What are the posterior surgical approaches in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

What is the efficacy of surgical intervention in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

Which specialist consultations are beneficial in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

What is the role of injections in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

How are bowel and bladder dysfunction managed in cervical spondylosis?

What is the role of rehabilitative nursing in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

What is the role of psychosocial support in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

Medications

What is the goal of drug treatment for cervical spondylosis?

Which medications in the drug class Antidepressants are used in the treatment of Cervical Spondylosis?

Which medications in the drug class Muscle relaxants are used in the treatment of Cervical Spondylosis?

Which medications in the drug class Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Cervical Spondylosis?

Which medications in the drug class Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the treatment of Cervical Spondylosis?

Follow-up

What is included in outpatient care for patients with cervical spondylosis?

When is inpatient care indicated for the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

Which medications are used in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

When is patient transfer indicated in the treatment of cervical spondylosis?

How is cervical spondylosis or its complications prevented?

What are complications of cervical spondylosis?

What is the prognosis of cervical spondylosis?

Where can resources for patient education about cervical spondylosis be found?