Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical Radiculopathy Overview
Cervical radiculopathy is a pinched neck nerve. Cervical radiculopathy symptoms range from mild to severe and present in the neck and upper extremity. Symptoms get worse when cervical radiculopathy is not properly treated. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialist should be made as soon as symptoms present.
Symptoms & Causes
Cervical radiculopathy causes include:
- Neck pain (with or without movement)
- Shoulder, arm or hand weakness
- Tingling or a “pins and needles” feeling in the hand and fingers
Common cervical radiculopathy causes include:
- Cervical disc degeneration
- Herniated cervical disc
Common Treatments:
Nonsurgical treatment options are very effective when cervical radiculopathy is diagnosed early. After a thorough evaluation, a CONA spine specialist may recommend:
- Activity modification
- A soft collar neck brace
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
- Oral corticosteroids
- Physical therapy
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) may be recommended to treat a severely pinched nerve that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment. CONA spine specialists are MISS experts—all procedures are performed, the latest surgical techniques and instruments are used.
Diagnosis:
A CONA specialist asks important questions about the patient’s condition, like:
- Did you injure your neck?
- Were you involved in an accident?
- When did your symptoms present?
- What symptoms have you experienced?
Thorough neurosurgical and physical examinations are performed. X-rays and an MRI are ordered and analyzed. This detail-oriented approach allows an accurate diagnosis to be made.