Cervical radiculopathy is caused by pressure on a nerve in the neck, often due to degenerative changes, herniated discs, or spinal instability. Symptoms include pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck, arms, and shoulders. Treatment may include rest, physical therapy, and medication.
Cervical radiculopathy is irritation of a nerve in the neck or pressure on nerve roots as they exit the spine, commonly called a pinched nerve. The main causes of this condition are degenerative changes, herniated discs and spinal instability. Often, the first symptom of cervical radiculopathy is muscle pain or stiffness in the neck region. There may also be pain in the arms, shoulders, back, and chest, as well as weakness or numbness in the hands, arms, and shoulders.
There are a number of causes of cervical radiculopathy. As people age, there are degenerative changes in their bones and soft tissue. The discs in the spine lose their water content and begin to collapse, causing the space between the vertebrae to narrow. The facet joints — joints located between and behind adjacent vertebrae — can enlarge due to irritation from the additional pressure, thus pressing against nerves and causing pain.
Cervical radiculopathy can also be caused by a herniated disc. Either the disc can be pushed out of place or the ring – the outer wall of the disc – is injured and ruptures, thus causing material in the core to leak out of the disc. A herniated disc can be the result of extra pressure on the core of a disc from heavy and repetitive lifting, twisting or bending, or it can be the result of natural changes to the ring. The ring tends to tear and break and is repaired with scar tissue, which can make it weaker over time.
Spinal instability is another reason for the occurrence of cervical radiculopathy. This condition involves extra movement between the bones of the spine, thus putting pressure on the nerves in the neck. It sometimes develops due to torn or stretched supporting ligaments that result from a serious head or neck injury. Additionally, people with diseases that loosen connective tissue can also develop spinal instability.
The symptoms of cervical radiculopathy are caused by pressure being placed on an irritated nerve. Neck, arm, shoulder, back, and chest pain are common, as are headaches. There are often changes in the nerves, such as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the muscles of the shoulder, arm, or hand. Also, the reflexes of the upper arm muscles are commonly affected.
Treatment for cervical radiculopathy will often be nonsurgical unless the condition worsens rapidly. Which treatment method is used to relieve symptoms such as neck pain and back pain depends on the severity of the damage to the disc and vertebrae. Doctors often encourage neck immobilization with a few days of bed rest and the use of a soft collar for one to two weeks.
Working with a physical therapist is another form of treatment. It is initially performed to relieve pain and inflammation. There are various options for physical therapy, such as using traction to stretch the joints and muscles in the neck or electrical stimulation to relieve pain. Medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or narcotics, may also be prescribed for severe cases of cervical radiculopathy.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
