Cervical Radiculopathy

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Find Relief From Pinched Nerves

Cervical radiculopathy, also known as a “pinched nerve,” is a condition wherein the nerve roots exiting the spinal canal at the cervical region are compressed or irritated. The cervical spine consists of seven bones, starting at the base of the skull. The nerves running through the cervical spine carry messages to and from the muscles and your brain, facilitating movement and sensations in the arms and hands.

If the nerve roots are compressed, irritated, or damaged while leaving the cervical spine, you experience the painful symptoms of cervical radiculopathy, such as radiating pain from the neck to the shoulders, hands, and arms. Radiculopathy, i.e., nerve compression, can happen at any point on the spine, but cervical radiculopathy is focused on the cervical region around the neck.

Cervical Radiculopathy: Symptoms

Cervical radiculopathy occurs when the nerve roots exiting from the cervical spine are irritated or compressed. Consequently, the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy originate from the neck and radiate down to the shoulders, arms, and hands. The severity of symptoms may range from mild pain, numbness, and tingling to the loss of mobility, and they may appear gradually or suddenly, depending on your unique condition.

The following are the most common symptoms of cervical radiculopathy:

  • Radiating pain from the neck to the arms and hands
  • Numbness and tingling sensations in the hands and fingers
  • Muscle weakness on the upper body
  • Lack of coordination and loss of mobility on the arms
  • Difficulty raising the arms over the head
  • Inability or difficulty while lifting or carrying heavy objects

Cervical Radiculopathy: Causes

Cervical radiculopathy occurs when the nerve roots exiting the cervical spine are irritated or compressed. Nerve compression may occur when the bones or intervertebral discs in the cervical region are damaged, usually because of disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, injuries, bone spurs in the foramen region, or other problems. The spine specialist must identify the root cause of cervical radiculopathy to curate the appropriate treatment plan.

The following are some of the most common causes of cervical radiculopathy:

  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Ruptured/ herniated intervertebral discs
  • Cervical foraminal stenosis
  • Injuries or trauma to the cervical spine
  • Disc herniation because of lifting heavy objects
  • Infections in the cervical spinal region
  • Cancerous tumors in the cervical spine
  • Benign or noncancerous growths in the cervical spine
  • The growth of inflammatory cells in the cervical spine

Cervical Radiculopathy: Treatments

Your cervical radiculopathy treatment starts with a thorough assessment and diagnosis, which may include CT scans, X-rays, MRI tests, and nerve conduction studies. After diagnosing the root cause of cervical radiculopathy, Dr. Kakoulides will curate a personalized treatment plan. He usually starts with conservative treatments, such as epidural injections and physical therapy, before recommending minimally invasive surgical techniques.

The following are some of the cervical radiculopathy treatment options:

  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion
  • Cervical Disc Replacement
  • Disc Replacement Surgery
  • Lateral Interbody Fusion
  • Microdiscectomy
  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Contact Dr. George Kakoulides

Dr. George Kakoulides is a board-certified neurosurgeon with specialized training in the latest minimally invasive spine surgeries. He is a friendly and compassionate spine surgeon who believes optimal patient experience and comfort are inextricable components of spinal recovery. Each treatment plan is personalized according to your unique needs, and Dr. Kakoulides follows you through your entire journey. Please schedule an appointment with Dr. Kakoulides today.

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