Note this can cause myelopathy and radiculopathy
Synonyms:
a.k.a. osteoarthropathy of the cervical spine
Diagnosis:
Imaging confirms the presence of degenerative changes but doesn’t confirm that it is the cause of radiculopathy or myelopathy
X-ray spine:
- Osteophytes, narrowed disk spaces, narrowed framina
- This confirms the presence of degenerative changes but doesn’t confirm that it is the cause of radiculopathy or myelopathy
MRI:
- spondylotic changes in the spine, compression of the spinal cord, T2 increased signal in spinal cord,
EMG:
- Normal sensory because the lesion is proximal to the dorsal root ganglion
- May show axonal pattern
- F waves may help
CT myelography: for myelopathy
Treatment:
Consider:
- Cervical collar
Consider Surgery if myelopathy or if motor radiculopathy are present