Cervical Radiculopathy
What is Cervical Radiculopathy?
Cervical radiculopathy is also known as pinched nerve and is a condition caused by compression of the nerve roots in your neck. This region of your neck is called the cervical spine and when affected, it can lead to pain, weakness, numbness and tingling along the path of the nerve. Most cases of cervical radiculopathy go away with nonsurgical treatment.
What is the Cervical Spine?
Your spine begins at the base of your skull and ends in your tailbone at your pelvis. Your cervical spine is the neck region of your spine. It consists of seven bones called vertebrae.
Your spine is made up of 24 bones or vertebrae stacked on top of one another. The cushion in between is called the disc. These bones connect to create a canal that protects the spinal cord which functions like a two-way highway to connect the nerves all over your body with your brain. Your brain receives sensory information from the rest of the body this way and it controls muscles and joints for movement by sending instructions in the other direction.
What are the Causes and Risk Factors for Cervical Radiculopathy?
Cervical radiculopathy is often caused by normal changes that occur in the spine as we age, such as arthritis. In younger people, it is most often caused by a sudden injury. Anyone can get cervical radiculopathy, but it’s more common in adults.
Common causes of pinched nerve:
- Herniated or ruptured aka ‘slipped’ disk – a common cause for people up to age 50 where a portion of the disc in the spine presses against the nerve root
- Disk Degeneration – more common for people in their 50s and 60s and older where the discs in the spine lose their cushioning properties allowing vertebrae to become too close together, pinching a nerve root
- Spondylosis or Arthritis – narrowing of the opening between the spinal vertebrae where the roots travel before joining to form a nerve is a common cause for people over age 70
- Repetitive Motion – occupations or activities that involve repeated neck movements that can cause wear, tear and inflammation to increase the risk
- Injury – such as trauma rupturing a disk
- Abnormal Growths – bone spurs can occur due to wear and tear of the spine’s structures. They can irritate nerve roots
- Lifestyle Factors – smoking and obesity can contribute to degenerative changes in the spine
What are the Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy?
Common symptoms of pinched nerve include:
- Neck pain
- Pain that radiates down the arm and into the fingers
- Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand
- Muscle weakness in the affected arm
- Difficulty with fine motor skills
- Lost reflexes on neurological examination
- Symptoms felt in an area wherever the irritated nerve travels
Your doctor may suggest regular X-rays or other imaging scans such as MRIs to help determine if you have a pinched nerve or if further tests are needed.
What are the Treatment Options for Pinched Nerve?
Treatment approaches for cervical radiculopathy vary depending on the type and severity of the condition.
Treatment options may include:
- Conservative Care: Rest, physical therapy, and pain medication
- Cervical Collar or Pillow: Special devices can help with placement of the neck and spine to better allow healing to give support and limit painful motion.
- Cervical Traction: Gentle stretching of the neck to relieve pressure on the nerve roots.
- Steroid Injections safely performed under X-ray guidance: Injections of anti-inflammatory medication can reduce pain and swelling.
- Surgery: If conservative treatments prove ineffective, surgery may be considered to alleviate nerve compression. We know and work with the best surgeons in the region.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you’re dealing with persistent neck pain, radiating arm discomfort, or other symptoms of cervical radiculopathy, the team at Sonoma Neurology, Pain & Headache in Petaluma is here to help. Our specialists offer a thorough evaluation, and a full range of non-surgical and interventional treatments tailored to your condition and lifestyle. We collaborate with referring clinicians to ensure seamless, personalized care. To request an appointment, please call 707-415-4273.
*Please note: A clinician referral is required to schedule an appointment.
Sources
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cervical-radiculopathy-pinched-nerve
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22639-cervical-radiculopathy-pinched-nerve