Cervical radiculopathy treatment

Cervical radiculopathy treatment: You may have radiculopathy if you’ve ever experienced nerve-related pain in your neck, arms, hands, or even shoulders and back. This condition occurs when a spinal nerve is compressed. In other words, it’s caused by pressure on the area between the bones of your spine and the nerves that run through them.

Cervical radiculopathy has an annual incidence rate of 107.3 per 100,000 for men and 63.5 per 100,000 for women, with a prevalence of 3.5 cases per 1,000 population2,3. The highest incidence is in the age group between 50 and 54 years.

What Is Cervical Radiculopathy?

A pinched nerve in your neck causes cervical radiculopathy. The pain may be felt in your neck, shoulder, and arm. It often gets worse when you turn your head, bend your neck forward, or move your neck a certain way.

Cervical radiculopathy is not the same as cervical spondylosis (thoracic kyphosis). Cervical spondylosis is arthritis of the bones that make up your spine (vertebrae).

Cervical Radiculopathy Causes and Risk Factors

Cervical radiculopathy has many causes, including:

• Arthritis in the neck
• Degenerative disc disease
• Injuries to the neck
• Infection in the cervical spine
• Infection in the bone
• Pinched nerve in the cervical spine
• Stenosis
• Poor posture
• Whiplash

Risk factors for cervical radiculopathy include:

Neck pain is most often a result of poor posture or muscular strain.

How is Cervical Radiculopathy diagnosed?

Cervical radiculopathy is diagnosed by your doctor based on your medical history and physical exam results.

Your doctor may order imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan to confirm the diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy.

The radiologist will evaluate the patient’s medical history, as well as his or her physical examination and imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan, and EMG.

Cervical Radiculopathy treatment

Treatment can range from non-invasive to surgical. The treatment goals are to decrease the pain and inflammation, restore motion and strength, improve function and prevent disability.

85% of cervical radiculopathy cases resolve without treatment within 8-12 weeks.

Physical therapy 

Physical therapy for cervical radiculopathy is commonly recommended for patients with neck pain and weakness and is a good idea for anyone with this condition. This type of therapy is usually beneficial for the patient because they can learn to use their body better and become more aware of how they move.

This may help prevent any further problems with the neck and can help with the recovery process.

Medication

Some of the medicines used for cervical radiculopathy are:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve the initial pain and inflammation. The medications that can be used for inflammation include naproxen and ibuprofen.
2. Muscle relaxants – These medicines can ease muscle spasms and pain. Some drugs used for this include cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, and tizanidine.
3. Antiseizure medications – This can help relieve pain and relieve symptoms.

Heat or cold therapy

Heat and cold therapy may be used for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy. These modalities can be used in conjunction with passive exercise or active exercise. Depending on the person and the individual’s progress, passive activity may include stretching, massage, or traction.

Surgery

Surgery for cervical radiculopathy is a major operation that requires removing a portion of your vertebrae, disc, or nerves. Surgeons often use an endoscopic procedure to perform surgery for cervical radiculopathy. Surgery for cervical radiculopathy is generally successful and may help relieve your symptoms.

When Cervical Radiculopathy Is Serious

The most severe form of cervical radiculopathy is called root avulsion. This occurs when a herniated disc tears or ruptures the nerve root, which then exits from its spinal column and causes pain, tingling, and numbness in one or both arms.

If you’re experiencing neck pain that radiates into your arms, consult with an orthopedist who specializes in spine surgery.

How common is cervical radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy is a common problem that affects the nerves in the neck. It can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the arms and hands. Some treatments help ease your symptoms, including physical therapy and medication to relieve pain.

Surgery may be needed if your symptoms don’t improve after trying other treatments for several months or longer.

How can I prevent cervical radiculopathy?

To better prevent cervical radiculopathy, you should avoid activities that put pressure on your neck. These include:

• Sitting at a computer or in front of the television for long periods. A common cause of this condition is slouching forward on both sides while sitting, which puts pressure on the nerve roots as they travel through the canal in the spine.
• Sleeping on your stomach or side with your head turned to one side for extended periods (more than four hours). This can also pressure these nerves as they travel through their path from your spine to your brain stem.
• Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco products can cause inflammation in areas where there is already nerve damage from another problem called carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Who does cervical radiculopathy affect?

Cervical radiculopathy is most common in people who have had neck surgery. The condition can be caused by a herniated disk, which occurs when the soft tissue between vertebrae ruptures, allowing the bones to separate and press on nerves.

Cervical radiculopathy affects roughly 1% of adults and is more common among older people than younger ones.

Cervical radiculopathy exercises

Cervical radiculopathy exercises can be performed in two ways:

• Exercises for the neck muscles, such as neck rolls and chin tucks, are initiated by shaking your head from side to side. This will help improve the mobility of your neck and ease any pain.
• Stretching exercises involve holding a stretch for 10 seconds or longer before moving on to the next stretch.

How much Does Radiculopathy Treatment cost in Southlake, Texas?

The cost of radiculopathy treatment depends on the severity of the condition. The cost can range from $1,000 to $10,000. The treatment cost depends on the treatment type and severity of your cervical radiculopathy.

Conclusion

There is no reason to suffer from this condition with so many treatment options available for cervical radiculopathy. If you are experiencing the symptoms of this condition, be sure to contact a medical professional as soon as possible to get the help you need.

FAQS

Does cervical radiculopathy treatment require surgery?

Cervical radiculopathy is a common condition. Other than the initial episode of pain, few symptoms are noticeable. The pain can last a few days to months and go away independently. Surgery is rarely needed.

What does cervical radiculopathy pain feel like?

Pain from cervical radiculopathy can feel like tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms and hands, which can range from mild to severe. The pain starts slowly and builds up over time, and it may feel worse when you make sudden movements.

Does cervical radiculopathy go away?

Yes, it will go away with time. The symptoms may also lessen with time. If you have cervical radiculopathy, there is an excellent chance it will go away without intervention.

How to sleep with cervical radiculopathy 

Sleeping with cervical radiculopathy can be challenging. To use you get a night’s rest, use one of the following methods:

• Use a pillow to support your neck. Place a small, firm pillow underneath your head to keep it from falling forward during sleep.
• Use a cervical collar made of soft foam or fabric (like Velcro). These collars fit around the neck like an Ace bandage and can be adjusted depending on comfort level throughout each day.

What activities should be avoided with cervical radiculopathy?

• Avoid activities that aggravate the pain.
• Avoid activities that cause pain to radiate to the arm.
• Avoid activities that cause pain to radiate to the hand.
• Avoid activities that cause pain to radiate to the fingers or thumb.

Which fingers are affected by cervical radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy affects the fingers in a specific way. It usually causes weakness or numbness in the following finger groups:

• Fourth and fifth fingers (the ring and little fingers)
• Third through fifth fingers (the middle, index, and thumb)

Why is cervical radiculopathy worse at night?

While you sleep, the muscles in your neck relax. This can make it hard for you to maintain a neutral position or hold your head straight. A pillow that puts pressure on the base of your neck can also cause problems because it may force your head forward and down toward the mattress. Over time, this leads to muscle strain, especially in those areas that support nerves from above the neck (upper cervical spine).

When do you need surgery for cervical radiculopathy?

• If you don’t see any improvement after six weeks of conservative treatment, you may be a candidate for surgery.
• If other symptoms are present, such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, it’s essential to address them through conservative treatment so that they don’t get worse and require surgery.
• If there is no improvement after three months of conservative treatment and physical therapy, surgical options are still available.

How long does it take to heal from cervical radiculopathy treatment?

The time it takes depends on several factors:

• The severity of your symptoms
• amount of rest you get
• Quality of self-care
• Degree of injury (if any)

Is radiculopathy curable?

Radiculopathy is a degenerative condition, meaning that it will get worse with time. There is no cure for radiculopathy, but you can manage your symptoms and decrease the pain by avoiding activities that aggravate your condition.

Best Doctor to get Cervical radiculopathy treatment in Southlake, TX

If you are looking for the best doctor to get cervical radiculopathy treatment in Southlake, TX, then you should check out Dr. Eric I. Ray. He is a highly experienced and skilled doctor who has been helping patients with this condition for many years.

At Southlake Pain Center, we provide revolutionary treatments for pain, including cervical radiculopathy. We specialize in providing pain treatments for patients with various types of pain.