# Cervical Radiculopathy

- Link: https://carolinaona.com/cervical-radiculopathy/
- Published: 2019-01-21T15:40:29-05:00
- Author: Dallas Clifton

# Cervical Radiculopathy

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### 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.