Cervical radiculopathy is a condition resulting from the compression or inflammation of nerves in the cervical spine. This nerve pain can lead to symptoms such as weakness or impaired motor function in the arms or hands. Severe cases may also result in compression of the spinal cord, a condition known as cervical myelopathy. Common spine conditions that can cause radiculopathy include herniated discs, spondylosis, which is osteoarthritis of the spine, and spinal stenosis. Furthermore, radiculopathy can arise from bone spurs, spinal tumors, changes like spondylolisthesis, spinal trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, previous spine surgery, and bone diseases.
Risk factors for conditions like cervical spondylotic myelopathy, which is the most common spinal disorder in Americans over the age of 55, include age-related degeneration. This degeneration often manifests as bone spurs, disc bulges, and thickened ligaments. When a younger individual experiences cervical radiculopathy, it is often due to a cervical herniated disc where the inner material of the disc leaks out and inflames or impinges an adjacent nerve.
Cervical spondylosis, or osteoarthritis of the neck, is another common cause. This condition is characterized by the arthritic deterioration of the discs and facet joint cartilage of the cervical spine. Symptoms may vary widely, with some individuals experiencing no symptoms, while others may suffer from stiffness, neck pain, shoulder pain, or pain between the shoulder blades.
Treatment for these conditions may involve cervical decompression surgery, which is often performed on an outpatient basis to relieve nerve root compression and its symptoms. This surgery is typically recommended to alleviate spinal stenosis or cervical radiculopathy, which can cause neck pain radiating into the upper back and down the arms and hands.
For more detailed information on the nonoperative treatments of cervical radiculopathy, an overview of spondylosis, and further discussions on the conditions and treatments related to cervical radiculopathy, the following resources can be consulted:
Nonoperative Treatments for Cervical Radiculopathy,
Spondylosis Overview,
Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy,
Cervical Laminoforaminotomy,
Cervical Radiculopathy, and
Arthritis of the Back, Spine, and Neck.
An unfortunate case of cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy was reported where, after an initial improvement from a cervical epidural steroid injection (CESI), the patient developed upper and lower motor neuron signs indicative of spinal cord demyelination and new brain lesions, as confirmed by MRI scans. For further study on this case, refer to the publication in the Global Medical Education Review Journal.
