Cervical radiculopathy
What is acute cervical radiculopathy, and how can it be treated?
- Author: Dr Reza Feizerfan
- First published:
Cervical radiculopathy symptoms and causes
What is acute cervical radiculopathy?
If you’ve ever experienced sudden onset sharp pain, tingling, or numbness in your neck that spreads to your arms, it might be due to something called acute cervical radiculopathy (ACR). This condition happens when a nerve in your neck gets compressed or irritated, causing symptoms in your neck, shoulders, arms, or hands.
ACR is most common in people in their 40s and 50s, and it’s often caused by age-related wear and tear in the neck, such as arthritis or bulging discs. However, injuries or other conditions can sometimes be the cause.
What causes acute cervical radiculopathy?
Your neck is made up of bones, discs, and joints that work together to support your head and let it move. Nerves run through this area, branching out to your shoulders, arms, and hands. If one of these nerves gets pinched, it can cause the symptoms of ACR.
Common causes include:
- Herniated or bulging discs: When the soft cushion between the bones in your neck pushes out and presses on a nerve.
- Bone spurs or arthritis: Extra bone growths can form in your neck joints, narrowing the spaces where nerves pass through.
- Injuries: Trauma like whiplash can irritate or compress a nerve.
- Other rare causes: Conditions like tumours or infections, though these are much less common.
What does it feel like?
ACR symptoms vary depending on which nerve is affected, but they typically include:
- Pain: This is often felt in the neck and radiates down the arm, sometimes into the hands.
- Tingling or numbness: A “pins-and-needles” sensation or loss of feeling in certain parts of the arm or hand.
- Weakness: You might struggle to grip objects or lift your arm.
- Reduced reflexes: This might be noticed during a physical exam by your doctor.
Diagnosing the problem
When you come to see me for acute cervical radiculopathy, the first step is understanding your symptoms and how they’re affecting your life. I’ll start by asking about when your pain started, what makes it worse, and what you’ve already tried to relieve it. Then, we’ll perform a detailed physical exam to pinpoint the issue.
Here’s what the process typically involves:
- Posture and movement checks: I’ll observe how your neck moves and perform tests like Spurling’s Test, which involves gently compressing your head in certain positions to see if it reproduces your pain.
- Imaging tests: Depending on what I find during the exam, I might recommend imaging like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans. These help rule out other conditions and confirm if a nerve is being pinched.
- Nerve tests: For some patients, we use tests like EMG (electromyography) or nerve conduction studies to assess how well the nerves are functioning. This is especially helpful if your symptoms aren’t typical or are more widespread.
Cervical radiculopathy treatment
Treatment options for ACR
The good news is that most cases of ACR get better with simple treatments and time. Here’s how we can approach your care:
1. Start with simple treatments
- Rest and posture changes: Avoid movements or activities that worsen your pain.
- Medications: Depending on the severity of your pain, I might suggest anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, or even a short course of nerve-specific tablets.
- Physiotherapy: I’ll recommend tailored exercises to strengthen your neck and improve mobility without causing further irritation.
2. When symptoms don’t improve
If your pain persists or worsens despite these measures, we’ll look at more advanced options:
- Epidural injections: This involves injecting medication near the affected nerve to reduce inflammation and provide relief.
- Nerve root sleeve injections: These are both diagnostic and therapeutic, helping me confirm the source of your pain while providing targeted relief.
3. Rare cases needing surgery
In rare cases, where there’s severe weakness or signs of nerve damage, surgical options may be necessary. If this applies to you, I’ll discuss the risks and benefits in detail to help you make the best decision.
Neck and back pain specialist Perth
How I can help
My goal is to not only treat your symptoms but to get you back to living your life as fully as possible. With a personalised treatment plan, we’ll find the best approach for your specific situation, whether that’s exercises, injections, or more advanced options if needed.