Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve in Neck)
Understanding Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve in Neck)
Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the cervical spine is compressed or inflamed as it branches away from the spinal cord. Patients describe a feeling of electric shocks, burning sensations, or numbness shooting down the neck into the shoulder, forearm, and fingers.
Common Signs & Symptoms
- Sharp burning or shock-like pain traveling down one arm into specific fingers
- Numbness or reduced sensitivity to touch in the thumb, index, middle, or little finger
- Weakness when lifting the arm, flexing the elbow, or opening jars
- Relief from symptoms when placing the hand on top of the head (Bakody’s sign)
Primary Causes & Risk Factors
- Cervical disc herniation compressing the exiting neural foramen
- Cervical spondylosis with bony spurs (osteophytes) narrowing the neural exit
- Foraminal stenosis from facet joint degeneration
Diagnostic Evaluation by Dr. Nitish Agrawal
Conservative Options
- Targeted transforaminal cervical nerve root blocks under fluoroscopy
- Postural re-education, neck traction, and core cervical stabilizer strengthening
- Short course of oral corticosteroids and nerve pain modulators
Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Microscopic Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)
- Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy: Minimally invasive bone spur clearance preserving disc
Recovery & Rehabilitation Timeline
Most patients recover completely within 4 to 8 weeks with non-surgical management. For surgical candidates, arm pain relief is virtually immediate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cervical radiculopathy cause hand weakness?
Yes. When the motor fibers of the cervical nerve root are severely compressed, you may experience weakness in your grip or difficulty lifting your arm. This is a sign to seek expert spine evaluation promptly.
Book Consultation
Consult Dr. Nitish Agrawal for Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve in Neck).