Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is the number one cause of spinal cord injury globally, affecting as many as 2% of adult populations. With an aging population, the prevalence of DCM will continue to increase and remains a very common source of disability in this society. DCM has unique pathobiological mechanisms that mainly remain unexplored. Thus, the elucidation of the pathobiology and molecular mechanisms of neural degeneration of this unique disease is of crucial importance. In addition, surgeries do not solve the issues and less than 5% of people with DCM make a full recovery. Experimental research studies will serve to better direct the clinical studies toward the risk factors responsible for the progression of the disease that will lead to elucidation of the natural history of DCM.
Here I will summarize important features of clinical and imaging findings in DCM. Then I will discuss current knowledge of the pathophysiology in recent years, including epidemiology, natural history, molecular features and mechanisms.