Jaeson Kim Rose Hills
Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a degenerative change that occurs in the cervical spine and causes compression of the spinal cord. Patients with CSM can experience a wide range of symptoms, including weakness and numbness in the hands and arms, loss and balance and coordination, and neck pain. CSM is the most common spinal cord dysfunction in older persons and is likely to increase in incidence as the number of older persons in the United States increases. My research will focus on the diagnosis and treatment of CSM. More specifically, I will participate in data collection and analysis of CSM patients undergoing surgery at UCSF. I will also compare clinical outcomes and complications with various approaches, including anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), posterior cervical fusion (PCF), and laminoplasty. Ultimately, the findings from this research will hopefully help reveal the correct surgical technique that ensures the optimal clinical outcome for patients with CSM.
Message To Sponsor
I want to express my gratitude to the Rose Hills Foundation for the funding and support for my research this summer. Thank you for giving me the opportunity and providing the capacity to pursue my academic interests. Your generosity will not be forgotten.