Variations in Cervical Degenerative Diseases:What are the Key-points in Diagnosis?

Abstract

Degenerative cervical spine diseases are caused by age-related changes in the spine and often lead to impairment of neurological function, resulting in reduced quality of life. Multiple cervical spine degenerative diseases are known, such as cervical spondylosis, cervical disc herniation, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, which often coexist in a single patient. In degenerative cervical spine disease, many lesions are noted on radiographs but are often asymptomatic; hence, caution is required in clinical practice. Therefore, for the treatment of the disease, it is important to diagnose and identify the phenomenon or location causing the disorder. For this purpose, it is important to focus on the type and extent of neurological symptoms; mechanism of nerve compression, radiculopathy or myelopathy; and presence or absence of spinal instability, static or dynamic.