Cervical radiculopathy: What it is, symptoms, treatment, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is cervical radiculopathy Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — By Suzy Davenport on June 30, 2022Cervical radiculopathy, also known as a pinched nerve, happens when a nerve in the neck becomes irritated or compressed. It can be very painful and may affect a person’s quality of life. Usually, it resolves on its own, but physical therapy and medication can help speed the healing process. This article looks at cervical radiculopathy in more detail, including its causes, symptoms, and treatments. What is it Share on PinterestWestend61/Getty ImagesCervical radiculopathy is a condition that affects a cervical spinal nerve root. The cervical spine runs from the head to the shoulders and contains seven vertebrae. Various nerves run through these vertebrae. When a nerve in the neck becomes compressed, irritated, or damaged, this can cause pain. Causes There are many possible causes of cervical radiculopathy. Age-related causes As a person gets older, many degenerative changes can occur. When these affect the spine, the condition is known as spondylosis. Some people may develop arthritis, which also involves inflammation of the joints. The degree of severity varies greatly among individuals, and in many cases, a person can manage their symptoms with medication. One possible age-related degenerative change is the weakening of the disks that sit between the seven vertebrae in the cervical spine. These disks may stiffen, dry out, or become displaced, putting pressure on the nerves. Both degenerative disk disease and disk herniation can cause cervical radiculopathy. A condition called cervical foraminal stenosis may also occur as a person ages. This puts pressure on the nerves when holes in the bone become too narrow. According to research, this is a common cause of cervical radiculopathy. Injury or trauma In younger individuals, cervical radiculopathy may happen if a person injures their neck or has a slipped disk. This means that one of the cushioning disks between the vertebrae has moved out of place. It can push into the spinal canal, placing excess pressure on the nerves. A person can herniate a disk due to a single injury or as a result of repetitive heavy lifting, pulling, bending, or twisting motions. Fractures in the cervical spine may also cause cervical radiculopathy. Tumor or cancer In rare cases, cancer or a tumor may cause cervical radiculopathy. This is because the tumor may grow in a place that places pressure on nerve roots. Infection An infection in the cervical spine may cause inflammation or damage the nerve roots. Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that can cause swollen tissue in any part of the body. Although it most frequently affects the skin and lungs, swollen tissue may also appear in the cervical spine. If this occurs, it may result in a pinched nerve. Other autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriatic arthritis, can also have this effect. Symptoms Anybody with cervical radiculopathy will likely present with a sharp or dull pain in the neck, arm, or both. Older research suggests that this pain may worsen during sleep. Any movements that increase pressure on the nerve root can also worsen the pain. Other symptoms include:arm, shoulder, or hand weaknesstingling or numbness in the hand and arma loss of sensation in the hands, arms, or neckholding the head to one side Diagnosis When diagnosing cervical radiculopathy, a doctor will evaluate a person’s symptoms and perform a physical examination. They may test for signs of muscle weakness, problems with sensation, and reflex response. After this, they may refer the person to get an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan. These imaging tests can give doctors a clearer image of the bones or vertebrae. A person may also need to undergo a test called electromyography. This measures electrical impulses and can help doctors determine whether nerves are working properly. Treatment There are many different options for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy. Collar Doctors may recommend that a person wear a cervical collar, also known as a neck brace. This restricts movement and allows the neck muscles to relax. Neck braces are soft, comfortable, and usually adjustable, but they are only suitable for short-term use. Physical therapy exercises Physical therapy is a conservative, accessible option that doctors often recommend as a first-line treatment method. During sessions, a therapist will guide an individual through exercises. These may help reduce pain, strengthen the muscles, and increase range of motion. A therapist may use traction, also known as decompression therapy. The aim of this is to stretch the area and reduce pressure, which can relieve pain. Medication If physical therapy exercises do not help, a doctor may recommend medication. Some people may find that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, offer sufficient relief. They can help reduce the pain and inflammation associated with nerve damage. If necessary, a doctor may prescribe a short course of oral corticosteroids to alleviate swelling and inflammation. Alternatively, they can administer corticosteroids via an injection. If a person has severe pain, a doctor may prescribe a short course of narcotics. These are much stronger than NSAIDs and corticosteroid medications, but they can cause constipation. They are also among the prescription drugs that people most commonly misuse. Due to this, people should only take them for a short period. Surgery In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to treat cervical radiculopathy. The types of surgery that a doctor may recommend include:Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: During this procedure, the surgeon removes the disk that is causing problems. They then fuse the spine using spine grafts. However, this may limit neck movement. Artificial disk replacement: This involves a surgeon removing the problematic disk and replacing it with an artificial one. It provides more flexibility than anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedures.Posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy: During this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the back of the neck. They then scrape down the back of the spinal canal and remove any problematic bone spurs, disks, or tissues. This does not require spinal fusion, so a person can retain neck flexibility. Contacting a doctor If a person has neck pain and suspects that they might have cervical radiculopathy, they should contact a doctor. It is also important to seek medical attention if the pain starts after a trauma or injury, such as a car accident or fall. The doctor will ask about the person’s symptoms and medical history before conducting a physical examination. They may then refer the person for more tests before recommending suitable treatment options. Summary Cervical radiculopathy is a condition that affects nerves in the neck. These nerves can become compressed, resulting in neck, arm, and shoulder pain. This can occur for a variety of reasons, but it most commonly involves degenerative causes or injury. Many treatments are available to treat the condition, including medications, physical therapy, and surgical interventions. Last medically reviewed on June 30, 2022Back PainBones / OrthopedicsNeurology / NeurosciencePain / AnestheticsSeniors / Aging 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve). (2020).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/cervical-radiculopathy-pinched-nerve/Cervical radiculopathy: Surgical treatment options. (2020).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/cervical-radiculopathy-surgical-treatment-options/Gandhi, S. V., et al. (n.d.). Cervical spine.https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Cervical-SpineIyer, S., et al. (2016). Cervical radiculopathy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4958381/Jackson, R. (2010). The classic: The cervical syndrome.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2881998/Lee, H.-D., et al. (2021). Is the severity of cervical foraminal stenosis related to the severity and sidedness of symptoms?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8701450/Misuse of prescription drugs research report. (2020).https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/overviewNeck pain - cervical radiculopathy: What causes it? (2022).https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/neck-pain-cervical-radiculopathy/background-information/causes/Rizkalla, J., et al. (2019). Superior sulcus tumor disguised as cervical radiculopathy with metastasis to brachial plexus.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6793980/Sarcoidosis. (2018).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sarcoidosis/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — By Suzy Davenport on June 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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