Medical management of cervical spondylosis.
Medical management is often the initial management of cervical spondylitic syndromes, including radiculopathy, myelopathy, and neck pain. This includes pharmacological and rehabilitation treatment. Prospective studies comparing the efficacy of surgical versus medical management are lacking. The indications and efficacy of pharmacological and rehabilitative treatments are reviewed. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, analgesics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, steroids, facet joint ablation, and physical therapy are reviewed. A rationale for the medical management of acute neck pain, chronic neck pain, radiculopathy, and myelopathy is presented.
Mazanec
Daniel
D
Cleveland Clinic Spine Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. mazaned@ccf.org
Reddy
Anantha
A
D006801:Humans; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000628:therapy; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000628:therapy; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000628:therapy*