Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical Radiculopathy: Overview

The spinal cord branches out to all parts of the body. The part of a nerve that connects to the spinal cord is called a nerve root. If one of these roots is injured or pinched, pain, weakness, numbness or tingling may be felt in the part of the body served by that nerve.

Common causes of nerve root injury include a herniated disc, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease.

A herniated disc

occurs when a spinal disc ruptures and presses against a nerve root.

Spinal stenosis

occurs when the bones that form the spinal canal grow inward, pinching a nerve root.

Degenerative disc disease

occurs when a spinal disc weakens, allowing vertebral bones above and below the disc to shift out of position.

The bones can touch,
pinching nearby nerve roots. Bony spurs may form, and these may also press against the nerves.

The nerve roots leaving the neck area serve the arms. When a cervical root is injured, pain, weakness, numbness or tingling may be felt in the shoulder, arm or hand.

Damage at the C5 level causes pain and weakness in the shoulder and upper arm

Damage at the C6 level causes pain in the shoulder and arm and weakness in the arm

Damage at the C7 level causes pain from the neck down to the hand and weakness in the arm and hand