DESCRIPTION
Cervical radiculopathy is the clinical description of pain and/or neurological symptoms resulting from any type of condition that irritates a nerve in the cervical spine (neck).
Cervical nerve roots, named C1 through C8, exit the cervical spine above the designated vertebral level at all levels except the last one (C8 exits below the C7 vertebra). These cervical nerves then branch out to supply muscles that enable functioning of the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. They also carry sensory fibers to the skin that provide sensation.
SYMPTOMS
- Pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness can radiate anywhere along that nerve’s pathway into the shoulder, arm, and/or hand.
- Cervical radiculopathy symptoms most commonly appear intermittently at first—coming and going—but they could also develop suddenly or gradually.
CAUSES
Any condition that somehow compresses or irritates a cervical nerve can cause cervical radiculopathy. The most common causes include:
- Cervical Herniated Disc. If the inner material of the cervical disc leaks out and inflames or impinges the adjacent nerve, it can cause cervical radiculopathy. If a younger person (20s or 30s) has cervical radiculopathy, the most likely cause is a herniated disc.
- Cervical Spinal Stenosis. As part of the degenerative process of the cervical spine, changes in the spinal joints can lead to tightening of the space for the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis is a common cause of cervical radiculopathy symptoms in people over age 60.
- Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease. When a disc in the cervical spine degenerates, the disc becomes flatter and stiffer and does not support the spine as well. In some people this degenerative process can lead to inflammation or impingement of the nearby nerve root. Cervical degenerative disc disease is a common cause of radiculopathy in people over age 50.
POSSIBLE TREATMENT OPTIONS
There is a wide range of treatment options available for cervical radiculopathy. The treatment will depend mainly on the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms as well as the severity of symptoms.
Nonsurgical treatments will usually be tried first. If there is no improvement in symptoms after 6 to 12 weeks of treatment, then surgery might be considered.
Cervical radiculopathy nonsurgical treatments could include some combination of the following:
- Rest or activity modification. Oftentimes cervical radiculopathy resolves on its own, especially if the symptoms are minor. Limiting strenuous activities, like sports or lifting heavy objects, or using better posture while sitting or driving might be all that is needed.
- Physical therapy. An exercise and stretching routine might help relieve symptoms. A physical therapist or other certified medical professional can develop a plan that is specific for the patient.
- Ice and/or heat therapy. Applying an ice pack or a heated gel pack to the neck might offer pain relief for some people. For example, applying cold therapy after an activity-related flare-up of pain is often helpful in reducing inflammation and pain.
- Pain management with medication or injections. Various pain blockers and anti-inflammatories are available to reduce symptoms of pain. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen could likely be tried first. If OTC medications do not provide the patient relief, prescription-strength medications, such as muscle relaxants or opioids, could be prescribed by the doctor on a short-term basis. Another option could be an injection carefully placed with X-ray guidance to deliver medication directly into the cervical spine, such as a cervical epidural steroid injection.
- Manual manipulation. A chiropractor or other qualified health professional can manually adjust the cervical spine with the goal of improving mobility and providing a better healing environment. Sometimes manual manipulation is part of a physical therapy program.
This is not a complete list of treatments for cervical radiculopathy. For instance, some people might also experience relief from treatments such as massage or traction, and certainly many people find optimal relief with a combination of treatments rather than a single approach.
