12th August 2024

Degenerative spinal disease

Degenerative spinal disease, or spondylosis, may affect the discs, facet or uncovertebral joints, ligaments or vertebral bodies. This may lead to narrowing of the foramina causing radiculopathies, or narrowing of the canal causing myelopathic symptoms from cord compression. Patients with cervical myelopathy most commonly present with clumsiness or weakness in the hands and spasticity and gait disturbance in the legs. Symptoms may worsen with neck flexion as this further narrows the canal. In the cervical spine, the most commonly affected region is C6-7 (C7 root), while in the lumbar spine, L4-5 (L5 root) and L5-S1 (S1 root) are most implicated. Definitive management is with spinal decompressive surgery.