Iwan and Ben meet Esther Martin Moore, a person living with degenerative cervical myelopathy who was inspired by virtual family get togethers during the pandemic, to create an equivalent for people living with DCM. These 'virtual coffee breaks' have been very well received, and are now taking place across the globe. Esther explains how the positivity and understsanding shared by those attending, has been so effective - and can extend the support Myelopathy.org offers.

How can we tell during surgery whether the spinal cord is adequately decompressed? Iwan and Ben are joined by Dr Carl Zipser, a Consultant Neurologist and Scientist at Balgrist University Hospital, Switzerland to discuss his study looking at a role for CSF pressure monitoring. It represents a return to concepts that have been dormant for over 40 years, but now a timely one, as we look for techniques to overcome the limitations of MRI.

Dr Mark Kotter, surgeon scientist at the University of Cambridge, shares the journey of his personal recognition of the importance of involving patients in research design and conduct; and Toto Gronlund, from the James Lind Alliance, reinforces the value of bringing the different stakeholders together in Priority-Setting Partnerships. This is part of a special 'Research Top Tips' series, from Myelopathy Matters (Myelopathy.org) and AO Spine RECODE-DCM, as they work together to accelerate knowledge discovery that can change outcomes in DCM.

Dr Shekar Kurpad, Professor of Neurological Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, talks to Ben Davies about time-management, humility and mentorship - his recipe for success in a dual clinical and academic practice. This is part of a special 'Research Top Tips' series, from Myelopathy Matters (Myelopathy.org) and AO Spine RECODE-DCM, as they work together to accelerate knowledge discovery that can change outcomes in DCM.

In today’s episode we hear from spine surgeon Dr Jamie Wilson on his transition from clinical neurosurgical resident in the UK to Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Centre, USA: what motivated the change and how he went about it. This is part of a special 'Research Top Tips' series, from Myelopathy Matters (Myelopathy.org) and AO Spine RECODE-DCM, as they work together to accelerate knowledge discovery that can change outcomes in DCM.

Dr Michael Fehlings, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto, draws on his extensive clinical trial experience, to share what he thinks ensures success; from the design, to the conduct and its implementation. This is part of a special 'Research Top Tips' series, from Myelopathy Matters (Myelopathy.org) and AO Spine RECODE-DCM, as they work together to accelerate knowledge discovery that can change outcomes in DCM.

Dr Brian Kwon, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of British Columbia in Canada, draws on his vast experience of grant writing to share his top tips for success. This is part of a special 'Research Top Tips' series, from Myelopathy Matters (Myelopathy.org) and AO Spine RECODE-DCM, as they work together to accelerate knowledge discovery that can change outcomes in DCM.

Iwan and Ben are joined by Dr Deepak Ravindran, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesiae, following the release of his book - The pain free mindset: 7 Steps to Taking Control and Overcoming Chronic Pain. They discuss our evolving understanding of what pain means, why are approach to managing pain needs to change, and how one might apply this framework day to day.

Iwan and Ben are joined by the Chief Investigator of the CSM-S Trial, the first randomised controlled trial of anterior surgery (surgery from the front of the neck) versus posterior surgery(surgery from the back of the neck), to discuss its findings and implications for care. Its a story of perhaps overlooked challenges and overlooked opportunities for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Ben and Iwan, are joined by Celine Parathasarathy (University of Cambridge) and Aria Nouri (Surgeon Scientist, Geneve University Hospital) as they discuss a potential role for nutrition on improving care and outcomes in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy. Could nutrition be a simple disease modifying therapy?