What is Cervical Radiculopathy?
Cervical radiculopathy is a form of nerve damage which occurs as a result of compression to the nerve roots along the cervical vertebrae. Depending on which nerve roots have been damaged, and where they are located, Cervical Radiculopathy can cause intense pain, as well as loss of feeling in the arms and hands.
A pinched or irritated nerve in the neck is a type of cervical radiculopathy.
Symptoms
Cervical radiculopathy is known to cause a number of different symptoms radiating outwardly from the damaged nerve in the neck. The most common symptoms include:
Causes
Cervical radiculopathy is a fairly common issue, which occurs as a result of damage to the nerve(s) near the neck. This nerve damage can occur due to a variety of different reasons, including:
- Herniated or Ruptured Disc – Due to injury or trauma.
- Degenerative Disc & Bone Issues
- Arthritis
- Pressure to the Nerve Roots – Due to an injury or trauma.
Treatment
Non-Surgical Options
Due to the compression of the nerve, and inflammation, patients will feel intense pain. This pain must usually be managed with pain medications – both prescription and OTC, as well as corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory drugs), or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Depending on the specific symptoms of the patient and the advancement of the nerve issue, physical therapy might be an option as well. A physical therapist can help you to improve cervical traction and mobility, as well as other exercises targeting the neck.
Surgical Options
In certain severe cases of cervical radiculopathy however, surgery might be necessary. For some patients the nerve compression becomes so significant that they experience motor weakness and their symptoms continually advance, despite physical therapy and other treatments. In cases such as this, depending on the cause of the cervical radiculopathy, there are a few different surgical options, including:
- Discectomy Surgery – This involves removal of the entire damaged disc. Usually performed through the anterior cervical approach, in conjunction with fusion (ACDF Surgery).
- Cervical Disc Replacement – The damaged or herniated disc is removed, usually from the front, and rather than fusing the spine, it is replaced with an artificial disc. Another goal of this procedure is motion preservation.
- Microdiscectomy or Cervical Decompression Surgery – Often done from the posterior, this procedure removes part of the herniated disc.
