Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy, often called a "pinched nerve" in the neck, occurs when a nerve root in the cervical spine becomes compressed or irritated. This condition can lead to radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels from the neck into the shoulder, arm, and hand. It’s commonly caused by age-related changes in the spine, but it can also result from injury or repetitive strain.

At CalSpine MD, our provider, Dr. Hieu Ball, has extensive experience in treating cervical radiculopathy using both surgical and non-surgical approaches. Depending on the severity and underlying cause, he may recommend conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or targeted injections, or advanced surgical options to relieve nerve compression and restore function.

Cervical radiculopathy (or a pinched nerve) occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated. When this happens, the condition may cause pain that radiates into the shoulder and/or arm and muscle weakness and numbness. 

Cervical radiculopathy occurs in the cervical spine — the seven small vertebrae that form the neck.

Cervical radiculopathy is most commonly caused by the following:

• Cervical osteoarthritis
• Herniated disc due to an injury or strenuous activity
• Degenerative disc disease
• Cervical spinal stenosis 
• Cervical foraminal stenosis (narrowing of the canal in your spine through which the spinal nerves travel before exiting the spine)
• Trauma to the neck (e.g., ruptured disc)

Other less common causes of cervical radiculopathy include:

• Infection
• Tumor

If you have any of the following symptoms, call Dr. Ball for a consultation:

• Pain that spreads into the arm, neck, chest, or shoulder blade area  
• Numbness or tingling in fingers or hands
• Muscle weakness in the arms or hands
• Lack of coordination, problems with dropping objects from hands, deterioration in handwriting
• Loss of reflexes in your arms or legs

During your consultation, Dr. Ball will ask you to describe your symptoms, when they started, and what you have done so far to relieve pain and discomfort. He’ll also ask you questions about your medical history and any medications you may be taking, as well as any treatments such as physical therapy or pain injections/treatments. 

As part of the physical exam, Dr. Ball will examine your neck, shoulders, arms, and hands for muscle weakness and problems with sensation or reflexes. He may have you move your arms or neck to see if certain movements cause or ease pain or other symptoms. Tests of coordination and gait may also be done.

Dr. Ball may also order imaging studies, including:

• CT Scans: CT scans take detailed pictures of the bony anatomy of your cervical spine. These images help Dr. Ball determine whether you have developed bone spurs near the foramen in your cervical spine. 
• MRI Scans: MRI studies check for damage to nerve roots, the spinal cord, or soft tissues. It will show Dr. Ball if your nerve compression is caused by damage to soft tissues, such as a bulging or herniated disc.
• Electromyography: This test, along with nerve conduction studies, will show how your muscles work when they are at rest and contracted and if a nerve is functioning normally. The test results will tell Dr. Ball if your symptoms are caused by pressure on spinal nerve roots and nerve damage or by another condition that causes damage to nerves (e.g., diabetes).

There are both non-surgical and surgical treatment options available for cervical radiculopathy.

Non-surgical treatments for cervical radiculopathy may include physical therapy and medications:

• Physical Therapy: Your physical therapist may include gentle cervical traction and mobilization exercises or other treatment modalities designed to reduce pain, strengthen neck muscles, and improve range of motion.
• Medications: Dr. Ball may prescribe strong anti-inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids) or non-steroidal pain medication like ibuprofen or naproxen to manage your pain and decrease swelling. Other medications directed to address nerve pain, such as gabapentin, may be used.  Alternatively, Dr. Ball may prescribe oral steroids or a steroid injection. The injection is placed in the space surrounding the dura, which is the membrane that surrounds the spinal cord.

If patients don’t respond to conservative treatment and significant compression on the nerve exists to the extent that motor weakness results, surgery may be necessary to relieve the pressure. 

There are several surgical procedures to treat cervical radiculopathy. During your consultation, Dr. Ball will determine the best procedure for you based on the symptoms you are experiencing and the location of the involved nerve root. Treatments include posterior minimally invasive foraminotomy, total (artificial) disc replacement, and cervical fusion.

Dr. Ball, with over 20 years of experience in spinal care, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical radiculopathy in both adult and pediatric patients. He designs a personalized treatment plan to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and restore function.

For appointments, please call us at (925) 838-8830 or request an appointment online.