Review Question - QID 216655

An 80-year-old man complains of axial neck pain and worsening upper extremity weakness after striking his forehead during a fall. For the last 2 years, he has been using a walker because of frequent falls and no longer wears dress shirts because of difficulty with buttons. Examination reveals a positive finger-escape sign, and he is unable to make a fist and release 10 times in 10 seconds. Distal lower extremity muscle groups are stronger than proximal muscle groups. There is no instability on flexion-extension radiographs. An MRI image is shown in Figure A. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment of the options listed?