Some individuals experience neck pain that radiates into the shoulder and arm. This type of pain is often triggered by an injury close to the root of a spinal nerve. An injury to the nerve root is oftentimes called as pinched nerve or also known as cervical radiculopathy.
What are the possible causes?
Once the disks start to age, they lose height and begin to bulge out as well as lose their water content and stiffen. As the disks loses their height, the vertebrae moves close together. The body considers the collapsed disk as a weak area and reacts by forming more bone around the disks to strengthen it. The bone spurs that form can also contribute to the stiffening of the spine. In addition, the spurs will also narrow the area of the foramen and pinch the nerve root.
Symptoms
The pain caused by cervical radiculopathy travels down the arm in the area of the affected nerve. The pain is described as piercing or pins and needles sensation or even complete numbness. Additionally, there might be a feeling of weakness when engaged in certain activities.
It is important to note that the symptoms are aggravated by certain movements such as straining or turning the neck. The symptoms are often eased by placing the hand on the head and stretching the shoulder.
Assessing the condition
The doctor will discuss the medical history of the individual as well as the symptoms. A physical examination will be carried out which involves testing the strength and sensation as well as the reflexes. The doctor will instruct the individual to perform certain arm and neck movements to try to produce or relieve the symptoms.
The imaging tests that are requested to determine a diagnosis include an X-ray, CT scan, MRI and electromyelography.
Treatment
Individuals with cervical radiculopathy can manage the condition over time without the need for surgery or even any form of treatment. The treatment for cervical radiculopathy starts with non-surgical treatment options. To learn to recognize and manage this condition, sign up for first aid training here.
- Soft collars will allow the muscles in the neck to rest and limit neck movement. This will reduce the pinching on the nerve roots with movement. The soft collars must only be used for short periods of time since long-term use can reduce the strength of the neck muscles.
- Physical therapy can also help with the strengthening and stretching of the neck muscles. Oftentimes, traction can also be used.
Medications
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin can be used if the arm symptoms are caused by nerve swelling.
- Narcotics are medications reserved for those who experience severe pain that is not relieved by other options.
- Oral corticosteroids can also help minimize swelling as well as the pain.
- Spinal injections are administered close to the nerve being pinched. The injection is placed between the laminae in the foramen or into the facet joint.