cx radiculopathy

Question 1

What is radiculopathy?

Answer 1

When one or more nerves are affected at the level of the nerve root
Results in radicular pain, weakness and numbness

Question 2

Causes

Answer 2

Disc herniation
Spondylosis
Osteophytosis

Question 3

Cx radiculopathy

Answer 3

Disease process marked by nerve compression from herniated disc material or arthritic bone spurs
Impingement produces neck and radiating arm pain/numbness, sensory deficits or motor dysfunction in the neck and upper extremities

Question 4

Prevalence

Answer 4

Increased prevalence 40-49 years

Question 5

2 main mechanisms

Answer 5

Spondylosis leading to stenosis or bony spurs - more common in older patients
Disc herniation- more common in younger patients

Question 6

Spondylosis

Answer 6

May be applied non specifically to any and all degenerative conditions affecting discs, vertebral bodies and associated joints of Cx spine

Question 7

Stenosis

Answer 7

Narrowing of the cervical spinal canal, causing compression of the spinal cord/ nerve roots and affect function of the nerve
Causes symptoms associated with radiculopathy

Question 8

Movements affected

Answer 8

C1-C2 - Neck flexion/extension
C3- Neck side flexion
C4- Shoulder elevation
C5- Shoulder abduction
C6- Elbow flexion/ wrist extension
C7- Elbow extension/ wrist flexion
C8- Thumb extension
T1- Finger abduction

Question 9

Special tests

Answer 9

Cluster of Wainner
- Spurling’s Test
- Upper limb tension 1
- Distraction test