Myelopathy associated with cervical spondylosis: a frequently unrecognized disease.

Cervical spondylosis or chronic diskogenic disease of the cervical spine is a relatively common cause of myelopathy, but it is often not recognized or is incorrectly diagnosed. The clinical presentation may mimic several types of neurological disease including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Even more frequently, and especially early in the course of the disease, neurologic impairment is not recognized and the symptoms are thought to be due to osteoarthritis. Early recognition of this condition is important since adequate treatment can prevent slowly progressive neurologic impairment. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of myelopathy due to cervical spondylosis and adequate radiographic evaluation will often lead to treatment that can prevent progressive spinal cord damage. Cervical spondylosis with myelopathy is one of the most frequently unrecognized and misdiagnosed, yet treatable, conditions affecting the nervous system.