Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy is a condition caused by compression or irritation of a nerve root in the cervical spine, often resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates down the arm. The two main mechanisms of the nerve root irritation or impingement are spondylosis (degenerative changes) leading to stenosis or bony spurs which is more common in older patients and disc herniation which is more common in younger patients. Most common level of root compression is C7.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Radiating sharp, tingling, burning or shooting pain from the neck down into the shoulder, arm, or hand.
- Discomfort affects the arm more than the neck. If severe, pain will go down the hands or fingers
- Difficulty lifting arm due to weakness
- Headache
Physiotherapy Managements:
- Manual therapy : Such as soft tissue manipulation and myofascial release to reduce muscle tightness and reduce referred pain.
- Mobilization or Manipulation : To improve mobility and reduce stiffness
- Thermal modalities : Such as heat therapy or cold therapy to relieve pain and tightness
- Exercise therapy : Stretching exercise to relieve tension in neck and shoulder muscles and deep flexor strengthening in helping to restore cervical spine muscular balance and improve postural alignment
- Nerve gliding exercises : To reduce nerve tension
- Postural education : Educate to prevent the recurrence of symptoms by receiving training in proper ergonomic practices
- Cervical traction : To reduce sustained pressure on nerve roots to alleviate symptoms of radiculopathy.
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