Cervical vertebra consists of seven vertebral columns , all of which together form the upper part of spine . When one of the nerve origin near the cervical vertebrae is compressed , it results in the damage or mental disturbance of face function . This is know as cervical radiculopathy . In this condition , the sensory nerves are bear upon by a protruding intervertebral phonograph recording .
Cervical radiculopathy require numbness , pain , and muscular spasm of the neck opening , radiate to the shoulders , make by compression and excitation of the cervical nerve radical by a protruding intervertebral disk .
When a nerve root in the cervical rachis is steamed through inflammation or compressing , the symptoms can radiate along the nerve ’s footpath into the weapon system and hand . The specific symptom will primarily depend on which nerve is affect . This painfulness may also be referred to asradicular pain .
Cervical radiculopathy is also stimulate by following diseases-
Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy
The symptoms of cervical radiculopathy differ depending on the face which is touch on . For instance , if the nervus root that runs above the C6 vertebra is sham , it is term as “ C6 radiculopathy . ”
Though the patient ’s specific symptoms can wide vary , follow are the common type and symptom of cervical radiculopathy :
Other Common Signs And Symptoms Of Cervical Radiculopathy Are:
The primary symptom of cervical radiculopathy is pain in the neck that spreads into the neck , chest , limb , and/or shoulder . A individual with radiculopathy may have muscle weakness and/or indifference and tingling in fingers or hands . Lack of coordination can also occur , especially in the hand .
Cervical radiculopathy pain in the ass jaunt down the arm in the field of the involved cheek . Cervical radiculopathy usually lead in sharp annoyance . “ fall and needles ” sensation or even complete spiritlessness can also pass off . There may also be a feeling of impuissance with certain activities . Symptoms can decline with certain movements like gallop or straining the neck or turn the head . These symptoms often get better by stretch the shoulder joint or rate the hand on the promontory .
Epidemiology of Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy is much less frequent than the lumbosacral radiculopathy . The annual incidence is about 85 cases in a universe of 100,000 .
About 20 to 25 % of the case of cervical radiculopathy are stimulate due to cervical saucer hernia . In former patients , cervical radiculopathy is more usually a solvent of decreased disc pinnacle , foraminal narrowing from osteophyte formation , degenerative changes of the uncovertebral joints anteriorly and of the facet joints posteriorly .
Pathophysiology of Cervical Radiculopathy
Vertebral column commonly known as backbone or backbone has 33 vertebrae . Of these 33 vertebrae of the spine , 24 are articulate vertebra , which include seven cervical vertebra . Spinal spunk are present in bundles in the neck and lumbar section of spinal cord . These bunches of nerves are called rete . There are three mettle plexus dole out in neck ( cervical plexus ) . Nerves from these cervical plexus disperse into neck , articulatio humeri and upper extremities . The extent of symptoms depends on the level of lesion . Lesion of C5 nerve at foramina of spinal canal in neck may run over deltoid muscle , as well as forbidden and lateral side of upper weapon system . hurt or pique of C6 nerve will result in weakness in the biceps muscles and articulatio radiocarpea extensor muscle and tingling / numbness on sidelong side of hand and thumb .
Radicular pain is a symptom secondary to pinched nerve or vexation of the spunk at nerve tooth root close to spinal cord or at foramina before its exit from the spinal canal . Radicular pain spreads along the nerve distribution or dermatome . Radiculopathy or radicular pain may or may not be associate with tingling , spiritlessness or weakness . Pain , tingling and numbness are symptoms of sensorial nerve hurt . failing is an abnormality of the motor naval division of spinal nervus and watch in sinew groups receive nerve from offend spinal nervus . Dermatomal distribution of bother of bruise 5th cervical boldness in neck is spread over the back of the neck and upper extremity . Radicular spunk theme syndrome are secondary to pinched nerve or irritation of the nerve . nervus could be top secondary to atmospheric pressure from outdoors due to disc bulge , magnetic disk herniation , foraminal stenosis or degenerative phonograph record disease .
Causes and Risk Factors of Cervical Radiculopathy
As eld advancement , disks will lose height and start bulging . They lose water contentedness and start getting stiff . The vertebrae get down move close together as the disks miss height . The body picture this break down disk as a possible weak area and starts forming more bone called bone spurs around the disk to tone up it . These off-white spurs in turn bestow to the stiffening of the spine . Bone spurs may nail down down the orbit of the hiatus and pinch the nerve root . These alteration that occur with years are commonly called spondylosis or arthritis , and they can come in everyone with advancing age .
Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy
Treatment ranges from medical direction to surgery depending upon the condition , symptom and aesculapian history of a person .
Medical Management for Cervical Radiculopathy
Medical direction includes medications to relieve pain in the neck and muscles muscle spasm , epidural injection . Medications can include a combination of cortico steroids or anti incendiary drugs and painkillers . medication can be accept either orally or can be injected in the shape of epidural injections though epidural injections are more effective as they are injected directly into the affected areas .
Physical Therapy for Cervical Radiculopathy
Physical Therapy ( PT ) may include heat , sonography , massage , electrical stimulation , stretching , soft cervical grip , and mobilization .
Surgery for Cervical Radiculopathy
Surgery may be necessary if the pain is relentless with severe harm of office . Procedure performed calculate on the overall status of the spine , and the age and health of the affected role . Procedures admit discectomy ( removal of the herniated disc ) with laminotomy ( a small jam in the osseous tissue of the cervical spine surrounding the spinal cord ) , laminectomy ( removal of the bony wall ) , by needle proficiency ( transcutaneous discectomy ) , and chemonucleolysis ( disc - dissolving procedure ) .
Commonly Used Surgical Procedures To Treat Cervical Radiculopathy are:
Diagnosis for Cervical Radiculopathy
