56 - Cervical Radiculopathy

Abstract

Cervical radiculopathy often arises due to compression of cervical nerve roots. This may occur from a wide variety of processes including degenerative spondylotic disease, disc herniation, neoplasm, and infection. Radiculopathy can manifest as pain, numbness, and/or weakness in the upper extremities. Evaluation requires taking careful clinical history and performing a meticulous physical examination. Appropriate ancillary studies can then be considered. These may include EMG, plain x-rays, CT scans, and MRI. Treatments are tailored to address the underlying pathology. Symptoms from disc herniations and degenerative conditions commonly improve with conservative treatments such as rest, activity modification, oral anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and steroid injections. For symptoms that are persistent and severe, surgical decompression may be an option. Focal neurologic deficits typically dictate earlier consideration of surgery. The goal of any surgical procedure is to relieve pressure upon neural structures while maintaining overall spinal stability.