Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: surgical outcomes in the elderly

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a progressive degenerative condition of the cervical spine that results in neurological deficit in either an acute or a delayed fashion. It is the most common disease process that affects the spinal cord in those aged 55 years or above. In this article we discuss the pathophysiology of the condition and highlight symptoms, timing of presentation and clinical indications. With a particular emphasis on the elderly patient, defined most often as those above 60–70 years of age, we discuss prognostic indicators, surgical treatment options and patient outcomes. This article concludes with a discussion of certain medical conditions that particularly affect the elderly patient and a discussion of future perspectives in cervical spondylotic myelopathy research.