Cervical Radiculopathy Flashcards
1
Q
Radiculopathy
A
pathologic process affecting the nerve roots
2
Q
Causes of non compressive radiculopathy
A
- diabetes
- Vasculitis with nerve root infarction
- Infectious or granulomatous
- Herpes Zoster
- Lyme disease
- TB
- Syphilis
- Brucellosis
- Cytomegalovirus
- Histocytosis X
- Sarcoid - Infiltration
- Lumphoma
- Carcinomatous meningitis - Acute demyelination
- early gullian -barre syndrome
3
Q
Cervical radiculopathy examination
A
- Spurling maneuver
- Shoulder abduciton relief test
- sensory loss freq. mild/absent due to extensive overlap of dermatomes
4
Q
Indication for neuroimaging and electrodiagnostic testing
A
- localizing signs and symptoms suggest a nerve root
2. There are persistent symptoms that do not resolve with conservative therapy
5
Q
Compressive cervical radiculopathy prognosis
A
Conservative therapy is preferred
2. Motor weakness should trigger early diagnostic work up
6
Q
Noncompressive radiculopathy prognosis
A
influenced by the natural history and response to therapy of the underlying condition
7
Q
Conservative therapy for cervical radiculopathy
A
- Oral analgesics
- a short course of oral corticosteroids
- Avoidance of provocative activities
- Cervical Traction
- Short term, neck immobilization with use of hard/soft cervical collar
- use cervical pillow
- PT w/ exercise and gradual mobilizations
8
Q
types of surgery for cervical radiculopathy
A
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Posterior laminoforaminotomy
- Artificial disc replacement
9
Q
Indications for surgery for cervical radiculopathy
A
ALL MUST BE PRESENT
- S/S of cervical radiculopathy (nerve root dysfunction/pain/both)
- Evidence of cerical nerve root compression by MRI/CT at appropriate side and levels to explain clinical s/s
- persistence of radicular pain despite nonsurgical therapy for at least 6-12 weeks or progressive motor weakness that impairs function
