[Biomechanical aspects of cervical myelopathy]

Detailed pictures obtained by functional myelography show that anteflexion causes substantial ventral movement of the myelon in the lower neck region. This lack of lateral stability can, in cases of degenerative kyphosis accompanied by dorsal osteophytic swelling across the intervertebral space, lead to constant irritation of the myelon sheath outside of the region concerned although the spinal canal is not constricted. If surgical treatment is necessary preference should therefore be given to Cloward's ventral fusion rather than to laminectomy.