Abstract: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is the most serious subtype of cervical spondylosis and the most common cause of spinal cord injury. At present, it is considered that mechanical compression and ischemic changes caused by spinal stenosis constitute the pathophysiological basis of spinal stenosis, and the dynamic instability of cervical spine is also an important factor causing spinal cord injury. Its clinical manifestations and physical examinations are complex and varied, and often need to be differentiated from some geriatric diseases. In addition to the abnormal long bundle sign caused by upper motor neuron injury, about 51.9% of cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients also have root lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred method of examination in patients with suspected cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Compared with magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging is much more sensitive in detecting early patients. It is suggested that, patients with moderate to severe cervical spondylotic myelopathy should receive surgery, and patients with mild cervical spondylotic myelopathy should consider conservative treatment within three years from the beginning of diagnosis.

Key words: cervical spondylotic myelopathy, treatment, review