Cervical radiculopathy

What it is

A nerve root leaving the neck can be compressed either by a soft disc herniation or by bone spurs narrowing the exit channel. The result is pain and altered sensation following that nerve’s specific path down the arm.

What it feels like

• Sharp or burning pain from the neck into the shoulder blade, arm, or specific fingers.
• Tingling or numbness in a defined part of the hand.
• Weakness in particular movements — gripping, lifting the arm, straightening the elbow.
• Relief when the hand is rested on top of the head; worse when looking up or turning towards the painful side.

How it is assessed

Examination maps the weakness, reflex changes, and sensory loss to a single nerve root. MRI confirms which level is responsible. Nerve conduction studies are occasionally used where the picture overlaps with a nerve compression at the elbow or wrist.

Treatment

Most cervical radiculopathy settles without an operation. Time, physiotherapy, and pain control are the first line, and a nerve root injection can both relieve symptoms and confirm the level.

Surgery may be considered for pain that remains limiting despite nonsurgical treatment, or for progressive weakness. An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) removes the disc causing pressure and stabilises the treated level.