|
Cervical radiculopathy refers to pain, weakness and/or numbness that derives from pressure on the nerve roots as they exit the spinal column. Compared to cases of lumbar radiculopathy in the United States, cervical radiculopathy occurs at a lower frequency. The main causes of cervical radiculopathy include degenerative disc disease, disc herniation (herniated or ruptured discs), spinal stenosis, and spinal instability.
Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy
This condition causes cervical root pain that radiates into the shoulders, arm, wrist, or hand, depending on what cervical vertebrae in the spine is involved and which cervical nerve root is being compressed. Patients with cervical radiculopathy often feel pain radiating down the arm, as well as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the muscles of the shoulder, arm, or hand.
Cervical Radiculopathy Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins when the physician asks you about your symptom history and conducts a complete physical exam. X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans of the cervical spine may be ordered as part of the evaluation to show the cause of pressure on the nerve. Myelography outlines soft tissues and delineates the level and often the extent of a disc protrusion. In many cases, MRI may be used in place of myelography to provide images of the compressed spinal nerve.
Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy
Most people with cervical radiculopathy find that their condition improves without surgery. For most patients with cervical radiculopathy, non operative treatment will yield good to excellent outcomes. The mainstay approach to cervical radiculopathy involves observation, anti-inflammatory medication and structured or home physical therapy regiment. If non-surgical treatment fails to provide relief, surgical decompression can be found to be quite effective in some cases. Several types of spine surgery – such as foraminotomy, discectomy, fusion, and other minimally invasive spine surgery alternatives – for cervical radiculopathy serve as viable treatment options. Cervical artificial disc replacement ( total disc arthroplasty) is also becoming a viable evolving option for select group of patients with cervical radiculopathy in particular, those with a soft herniated disc. At University Spine Associates, we’ll help you find a cervical radiculopathy treatment, surgical or non-surgical, that works best for you, your condition, and your lifestyle to provide you with the relief you deserve. |
