Cervical Radiculopathy

Question 1

What is a Cervical Radiculopathy?

Answer 1

A disease marked by nerve root compression at the cervical spine

Question 2

What are the symptoms of a Cervical Radiculopathy?

Answer 2

• Neck Pain
• Radiating arm pain
• Parasthesia
• Muscle weakness along a myotomal pattern
• Reduced reflexes
• Occipital Headaches
• Scapular pain
• Sensory and motor dysfunction in the upper limb and neck

Question 3

What are the causes of a Cervical Radiculopathy?

Answer 3

• Herniated disc
• Foraminal narrowing - degeneration
• Spondylitic changes
• Bone spurs/osteophytes
• Thickening of the ligament flavum

Question 4

What causes the symptoms of a Cervical Radiculopathy?

Answer 4

The nerve root has a poor or unstable blood supply. Inflammation associated with nerve root compression is responsible for the symptoms. It is thought that the symptoms can get better by themselves in weeks or months, providing the blood supply is not impinged or damaged, causing ischemic damage to the nerve.

Question 5

Which age groups are impacted by a Cervical Radiculopathy?

Answer 5

Any age group, but more often between the ages of 40-50