Increasing awareness of degenerative cervical myelopathy: a preventative cause of non-traumatic spinal cord injury

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a common non-traumatic spinal cord disorder and characterized by progressive neurological impairment. Generally, it is still underdiagnosed and referral to spine specialists is often late, when patients already present with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). To improve early diagnosis and accelerate referral, diagnostic criteria for DCM are required. Recently, AO Spine RECODE- DCM (REsearch Objectives and Common Data Elements for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy) (aospine.org/recode), an international, interdisciplinary and interprofessional initiative, including patients with DCM, was funded with the aim to accelerate knowledge discovery that can change outcomes. In this perspective we advocate for the participation of SCI specialists in this process, where the expertise and perspective on this disorder and requirements for the diagnostic and therapeutic work up is well developed.

Automated summary

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a common neurological disorder often underdiagnosed and referred late. The AO Spine RECODE-DCM initiative aims to accelerate knowledge discovery and outcomes by involving SCI specialists in the process. Early diagnosis, referral, and advanced diagnostic criteria are crucial for improving patient outcomes.