Cervical Radiculopathy Definition & Treatment

Radiculopathy, by definition, is not a medical condition; instead, it is a symptom. Radiculopathy is the general term for any condition that causes improper or incomplete function of one of the spinal nerve roots. What happens when nerve roots are not able to function properly? The results could be pain, numbness, a “pins and needles” sensation, and muscle weakness that occurs across the length of the nerve. This could be the result of a spinal injury, an illness, or impingement on the nerve root caused by any of several common spinal conditions. Cervical radiculopathy affects a nerve root in the cervical spine—the portion of the spine that runs through the neck.

Causes

Radiculopathy arises when an underlying issue compresses, irritates, or infects the nerve root. Illnesses such as Lyme disease or some strains of the influenza virus, spine trauma (such as from a car accident), or degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, or foraminal stenosis can inflame, degrade, or impinge on the spinal nerve roots as they emerge from the spinal column. This can result in common symptoms of spinal problems, such as:

• Restricted movement
• Degraded range of movement
• Pain, especially radiating out to the extremities (radicular pain)
• Numbness and/or tingling
• Weakness in the area served by the affected nerve root

Other causes of radiculopathy include herniated disc, bulging disc, and spinal bone spurs.

Treatment

Treatment of cervical radiculopathy requires treatment of its underlying cause. If the radiculopathy stems from a herniated disc, then typical herniated disc treatment will often suffice. In any case, physical therapy, pain medication, warm compresses, and other techniques generally help such spine conditions to improve over time, but some patients do end up considering surgery if the situation does not improve.

That’s where Laser Spine Institute comes in. Not only do we have a team of expert spine surgeons, but they are also well versed in the highly advanced endoscopic procedures that we offer. Our surgeons are able to access and address the affected nerve root using minimally invasive, laser-assisted techniques that enable you to walk out of our facility within a few hours—quite unlike the multi-day hospital visit required after open back surgery.

If your cervical radiculopathy does not improve after attempting conservative treatment, and your doctor believes that surgery is warranted, contact Laser Spine Institute today. We proudly offer a free review of your CT scan or MRI.