[Monosegmental , degenerative, cervical discopathy treated by surgery with insertion of an intervertebral cage]

Monosegmental, degenerative, cervical discopathy may become symptomatic because of spinal instability or neurocompression and may present as cervicalgia, radiculopathy and myelopathy. Conservative therapy of these conditions is indicated only in case of minor symptoms. In patients with radiculopathy, this treatment may be used for a longer period of time than in individuals with myelopathy. However, the disorder may progress and lead to irreversible complaints, especially in case of myelopathy. Therefore, the surgical treatment is preferred: if conservative therapy does not improve symptoms within a short period of time and if the patient continues to suffer, surgery is clearly indicated. Only recently, novel surgical methods such as microtechniques and cage surgery were introduced. The results of these types of surgery in this indications are very favourable with respect to recovery from pain, paresis and sensory deficits, rates of fusion of the motion segment, morbidity and mortality.