Cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy, often shortened to CSM, is a disorder marked by the age-related deterioration of the cervical spinal cord. A global consensus process chose Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy as the newer overarching disease term, so the condition is known by a range of different but related names. It is a neurological disorder involving the spinal cord and nerve roots, and its severity is most often linked to age, the location of the compression and how far the cord is compressed. Incidence rises with age, and spinal cord compression is likely to be present in people aged 55 or above. Typical symptoms are pain, numbness, and problems with balance and coordination. It arises mainly from compression of the spinal cord by degenerative changes in the cervical region of the spine, and a wide range of tests and treatments exist for diagnosing and managing it.