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Cervical Disc Disease, Sports Medicine

Sara Neal, MD, MA, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Cervical radiculopathy is a syndrome of pain and/or sensorimotor deficits resulting from compression and inflammation of a cervical nerve root at or near the neural foramen.

  • The most ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • If the radiculopathy is from a herniated disc, symptoms are usually acute; symptoms from spondylosis are typically more insidious.

  • Acute symptoms from herniation may be coincident with...

TREATMENT

  • Optimal treatment is controversial. Most recognize conservative therapy as the initial treatment choice.

  • Subsequent options include physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, and surgical...

ONGOING CARE

PATIENT EDUCATION

In attempts to decrease recurrence of symptoms: 
  • Keep the neck and shoulder girdle muscles strong.

  • Use correct posture when sitting (head centered over shoulders).

  • Set up wo...

REFERENCES

1
Radhakrishnan K, Litchy WJ, O’Fallon WM, et al. Epidemiology of cervical radiculopathy. A population-based study from Rochester, Minnesota, 1976 through 1990. Brain.  1994;117(Pt 2):3...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Brown S, Guthmann R, Hitchcock K, et al. Clinical inquiries. Which treatments are effective for cervical radiculopathy? J Fam Pract.  2009;58(2):97–99.

  • Caridi JM, Pumberger M, H...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Distinguish radiculopathy from myelopathy.

  • Weakness is the most serious complication of cervical radiculopathy and should be followed closely.

  • MRI is the test of choice for imaging the d...

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