Brain and nerve = Shinkei kenkyū no shinpo
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Spondylosis deformans of the spine occurs due to degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc, vertebral body and hypertrophy of the interarticular joint. Such changes, including narrowing of the disc space, degeneration of the endplate, spur formation, hypertrophy of the facet joint, spondylolisthesis, abnormal curvature of the spine, are generally observed in the elderly people. Neurological abnormalities may develop because of spinal cord compression or circulation disturbances. ⋯ Various techniques of decompressive laminoplasty have been developed exclusively in Japan. Clinical evidence regarding the applicability of these methods is inconclusive; however, some significant improvements have been observed after the reconstruction of posterior elements of the spine in some cases. Here, the chronological developments in the surgical procedures used for treating-cervical and lumbar lesions have been briefly described.