Cervical Radiculopathy

Symptoms of cervical radiculopathy can include:

• Pain that radiates from the neck to the head, shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers
• Numbness or loss of sensation
• Muscle weakness
• Weakened reflexes
• Tingling feeling like “pins and needles”
• Increased pain with certain neck movements, such as turning the head or extending the neck
• Reduced coordination

Symptoms typically affect only one side of the body (such as one arm only).

Treatment for cervical radiculopathy usually begins with a conservative approach. Depending on the effectiveness of conservative treatments, the severity of symptoms, and the patient’s unique needs, surgery may be advised.

• Physical Therapy (PT): PT can help to strengthen the neck muscles, relieve pain, improve mobility, and stretch the joints and muscles of the neck to alleviate symptoms of cervical radiculopathy.
• Anti-Inflammatory Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can decrease swelling and pain if the affected nerve root is inflamed.
• Injections: Some patients may benefit from spinal injections (such as steroids) to relieve symptoms. Steroid injections cannot relieve pressure from a herniated disc or bone spur, but they can reduce symptoms and help the nerve to recover.
• Neck Bracing: A padded ring called a cervical collar may be worn wrapped around the neck to limit motion and allow the neck muscles to rest. A cervical collar should only be worn for a short while so as not to weaken the neck muscles. 
• Surgery: If nonsurgical treatments are ineffective and symptoms persist, surgery may be performed to treat cervical radiculopathy. Surgical techniques include removal of a bone spur, herniated disc replacement, spinal decompression, or spinal fusion. The chosen technique will depend on your symptoms, the location of the affected nerve root, and your health.