Objective To investigate the effect of standardized rehabilitation nursing on functional recovery of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) after anterior operation. Methods Sixty patients were divided into two groups: observation group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30). Routine nursing was carried out in the control group and standardized rehabilitation nursing measures were carried out in the observation group. At the time of discharge, 1,3,6 months after discharge, the JOA score of spinal cord function of the Japanese Orthopaedics Association, the NDI score of cervical spine disability index, the VAS score of visual analogue of pain, the score of self-care ability of life were taken. The length of hospitalization of the two groups and incidence of postoperative complications were recorded. Results There were significant differences in average hospitalization time, postoperative complications, recovery of spinal cord function, recovery of cervical spine function and ability of living self-care between the observation group and the control group after operation (P<0.05). The average hospitalization time in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the scores of spinal cord function and self-care ability after operation were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The score of cervical disability index and the incidence of postoperative complications were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Standardized rehabilitation nursing may promote the recovery of spinal cord and cervical spine function, reduce hospital stay, reduce postoperative complications, improve the self-care ability of patients and improve the quality of life.