Cervical Radiculopathy

Commonly known as a “pinched nerve” in the neck caused by irritation or inflammation of nerve root as it branches out from the spinal cord. Neurological deficits, such as numbness, weakness or shooting or electric type of pain that can radiate from the neck into the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers. In younger people, this can be caused by injuries but in mid age or elderly this can be caused by wear and tear and arthritis. Diagnosis is made by physical exam, history taking, nerve conduction test, MRI of neck. Treatment is often conservative therapy that includes but not limited to physical therapy, acupuncture, Chiropractor, pain management. In patients who don’t respond to conservative therapy and have developed neurological deficits and weakness, surgical decompression/discectomy is last option.