loss of disc height narrows the nerve’s pathway.Several anatomical causes of cervical nerve root irritation have been proposed (2): 30% of cases start during sitting, standing or walking (2). It often starts without a traumatic or inciting event. What are Risk Factors for Cervical Radiculopathy?Ĭervical radiculopathy is most common in people who are white, smoke cigarettes or have a history of lumbar radiculopathy (2). It affects adults in their 30s and 40s at the highest rates (2). Men get cervical radiculopathy almost twice as much as women. How Common is Cervical Radiculopathy?Ĭervical radiculopathy affects 1 to 2 in 1,000 people each year. Cervical radiculopathy (irritation of a cervical nerve root) causes weakness and sensation changes in the shoulder, arm and hand. Nerves from the neck travel into the arms to provide sensation and strength. The C8 nerve root simply exits below the C7 vertebra. In a puzzling twist of anatomical nomenclature, there’s a C8 nerve root but not a C8 vertebra. For example, the C7 nerve root exits above the C7 vertebra. It’s pretty easy to feel on your neck, give it a try!Įach vertebra has a corresponding nerve root which exits above it. C7 or T1 (directly below C7) is the most prominent vertebra at the bottom of the cervical spine. C1 (at the top) supports your skull and C7 sits at the base of the neck. The cervical spine consists of 7 vertebrae. Except with a pinched nerve, symptoms linger. The nerve irritation causes neck pain with radiating symptoms into the shoulder, upper back, arm, and hand.Įver slept with your arm in a weird position? Or sat on your foot for a few minutes? That “pins-and-needles” sensation is similar to what cervical radiculopathy feels like. Cervical radiculopathy can cause burning, numbness, tingling and weakness. Physical therapists classify this condition as “neck pain with radiating pain” (1). Cervical radiculopathy is caused by a pinched (or irritated) nerve in the neck.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |