Anterior cervical approaches for cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy

Abstract

Compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots caused by spondylotic changes or disk herniations is the most common etiology for cervical myelopathy, radiculopathy, or myeloradiculopathy. Surgical intervention in treating these conditions has been very successful. Anterior approaches to the cervical spine are being used for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. The technical aspects of anterior diskectomy and corpectomy, methods of fusion, and the use of instrumentation are important treatment considerations.