Do you know that cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerves) affects, on average, 85 out of 100,000 people? Do you know that people in their 50s are the most affected population?

Do you think you’re at risk for cervical radiculopathy, and you’d like your symptoms to be evaluated as soon as possible?

The experienced doctors at The Pain Management Center can provide conservative, non-invasive treatment options to minimize and possibly cure your cervical radiculopathy condition.

Now we’ll give you specific details regarding cervical radiculopathy.

What is Cervical Radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy is also known as a “pinched nerve” because a nerve root can become pinched by a bone spur or by a herniated disc. This condition is also a result when a nerve in the neck region becomes irritated and compressed upon exiting the spinal canal.

Quick facts about cervical radiculopathy:

• Who is most affected? Workers who use vibrating machinery, heavy laborers, athletes, people who sit for long periods of time, and people who have arthritis in the neck regions are most affected.
• For young patients, a cervical disc herniation due to trauma can cause cervical radiculopathy.
• For older patients, cervical radiculopathy can occur due to arthritis or a decreased disc height in the neck.

Common Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy

As you can see by looking at this list, cervical radiculopathy oftentimes causes symptoms that spread away from the neck region. Even though the problem is located in the spine, patients feel symptoms in the hands, arms, and shoulders.

What Causes Cervical Radiculopathy?

A condition that irritates or damages the cervical nerve can cause cervical radiculopathy. The 3 most common causes are:

• cervical degenerative disc disease
• cervical spinal stenosis
• cervical herniated disc

Occurring at a less frequent rate, tumors, fractures, or sarcoidosis can cause cervical radiculopathy.

Treatment and Care Options

Several conservative treatment options exist for cervical radiculopathy. The two main goals for treatment: to reduce the risk of re-injury and to relieve pain.

Conservative treatment options include:

• medications to alleviate inflammation, pain, muscle spasms, and sleep disturbances.
• wearing a cervical collar to provide support and to limit motion while the spinal or neck injury is healing.
• using a cervical pillow at night to help ease the pain and to sleep better.
• getting an epidural steroid injection, also known as a cervical nerve block.
• using physical therapy techniques, which are typically completed after a patient has surgery to fix cervical radiculopathy. Physical therapy strategies include: pain management, manual therapy, posture education, strengthening exercises, range-of-motion exercises, and functional training.

If conservative treatment does not work properly, surgery may be needed. Surgery may also be needed if a patient shows signs of:

• muscle wasting
• increasing numbness or weakness
• unbearable pain
• the problem starting to affect the leg(s)

Managing and Living With Cervical Radiculopathy

Many people manage and live with cervical radiculopathy day in and day out. Additionally, there are ways to prevent cervical radiculopathy from recurring.

• Maintain good, proper posture while sitting.
• Use an ergonomic workstation throughout your workday.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Maintain a regular exercise regiment.

If you have any questions regarding your specific case, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our doctors. We will provide specific strategies to help you live as pain free as possible while managing the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy.