Cervical Radiculopathy

Question 1

What is cervical radiculopathy?

Answer 1

Neurogenic pain in nerve roots

+/- associated numbness, weakness or loss of reflexes

Question 2

What causes cervical radiculopathy?

Answer 2

Disc herniation

Degenerative changes

Question 3

What are the s/s of cervical radiculopathy?

Answer 3

Neck and radicular pain with numbness and paresthesia
Muscle spasms
Muscle weakness
Headaches
Myelopathy signs
Pain relief with hand over head

Question 4

What is observed in physical exam of cervical radiculopathy?

Answer 4

TTP- muscle/bony
Decreased ROM
Decreased lordosis
Assess for motor and sensory deficits
\+/- Spurlings

Question 5

What is included in diagnostic studies of cervical radiculopathy?

Answer 5

Xrays
MRI
CT myelogram
EMG/NCS
- peripheral neuropathy vs nerve compression syndromes

Question 6

What is the treatment of cervical radiculopathy?

Answer 6

Delayed tx- muscle paralysis, weakness, chronic pain syndromes
- May progress to myelopathy with spinal cord involvement

Conservative

• Spontaneous resolution usually within 2-8 weeks
• NSAIDs
• Cervical traction
• Avoid spinal manipulation

Question 7

What is included in DDX of cervical radiculopathy?

Answer 7

Shoulder pathology
Demyelinating conditions
MI
Peripheral nerve entrapment
Thoracic outlet syndrome