title: Mechanical and cellular processes driving cervical myelopathy.
abstract: Cervical myelopathy is a well-described clinical syndrome that may evolve from a combination of etiological mechanisms. It is traditionally classified by cervical spinal cord and/or nerve root compression which varies in severity and number of levels involved. The vast array of clinical manifestations of cervical myelopathy cannot fully be explained by the simple concept that a narrowed spinal canal causes compression of the cord, local tissue ischemia, injury and neurological impairment. Despite advances in surgical technology and treatment innovations, there are limited neuro-protective treatments for cervical myelopathy, which reflects an incomplete understanding of the pathophysiological processes involved in this disease. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the key pathophysiological processes at play in the development of cervical myelopathy.
authors.affiliation: Roisin T Dolan, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Waterford Regional Hospital, X91 ER8E Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Roisin T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.affiliation: Roisin T Dolan, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Waterford Regional Hospital, X91 ER8E Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Joseph S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.affiliation: Roisin T Dolan, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Waterford Regional Hospital, X91 ER8E Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: O'Byrne
authors.affiliation: Roisin T Dolan, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Waterford Regional Hospital, X91 ER8E Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ashley R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Poynton
keywords: Cervical myelopathy; Cervical spine; Neck pain