Surgery or exercise? new study tests two approaches for neck condition

This pilot study aims to determine if a larger trial is feasible to compare two standard treatments for mild degenerative cervical myelopathy—a condition where spinal cord compression in the neck causes symptoms like numbness, weakness, and balance problems. Researchers will recruit 56 adults with mild symptoms and randomly assign them to either receive decompression spine surgery or follow a 6-week conservative care program involving education, fall prevention, and tailored exercises. The main goal is to see if enough people can be recruited, will stick to their assigned treatment, and complete follow-up assessments over 12 months.