title: Operative treatment of degenerative cervical disk disease.
abstract: The surgical treatment of degenerative cervical disk disease should be considered only after an adequate trial of conservative management has failed. When surgery is contemplated, the decision must be based on sound indications and the operative strategy and approach must address the specific abnormality responsible for the patient's symptom complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory Spine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga, USA.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Schimandle
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery*; D007796:Laminectomy; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion