Objective:To explore the incidence of cervical Modic changes and related clinical factors of cervical spondylitic myelopathy(CSM) of patients requiring surgical intervention by MRI image. Methods:A total of 133 patients with CSM were collected from our hospital between May,2009 and March,2010. Flexion extension radiographs and preoperative MRI were collected. We evaluated cervical Modic changes and measured space available for the cord(SAC). Then,we measured total angle of motion(TAM) and segmental angle of motion(SAM) on cervical flexion-extension radiographs. Rank sum test was performed to analyze the clinical relevant factors. Results:Modic change incidence was 51.1% from patients with cervical myelopathy requiring surgical intervention. In patients who were over 60-year-old and with increased extension activity and more severe spinal stenosis, the incidence of Modic change was higher. The length of medical history and sex were not correlated to Modic change. Conclusion:Severe spinal stenosis and the increment of SAM on partial cervical flexion-extension radiograph due to aging and protrusion of intervertebral disc were intensively correlated with cervical Modic changes.