What Is Cervical Radiculopathy?
Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the neck becomes compressed or inflamed, causing pain that may radiate into the shoulder, arm, or hand. You may also hear the term cervical radiculitis, which specifically refers to inflammation of the nerve root without significant nerve damage.
Both conditions can lead to neck pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness, often affecting one side of the body.
Common Causes
Several spinal conditions can lead to nerve irritation in the neck:
Herniated or bulging cervical discs
Degenerative disc disease
Cervical arthritis (facet joint arthropathy)
Bone spurs (osteophytes) from spondylosis
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
Trauma or whiplash injuries
Typical Symptoms
Symptoms often follow a specific nerve pattern and may include:
Sharp or burning neck pain that radiates down the arm
Tingling or numbness in the fingers or hand
Muscle weakness in the arm or hand
Worsening symptoms with neck extension or turning
Relief when leaning the head forward or using a cervical collar
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Most patients improve with conservative care, including:
Physical Therapy - Exercises that relieve nerve pressure, improve posture, and strengthen the neck
Anti-Inflammatory Medications (NSAIDs) - Reduce swelling and irritation around the nerve
Oral Corticosteroids or Muscle Relaxants - Help with acute inflammation or spasms
Postural Adjustments & Ergonomics - Modify activities and workstations to reduce nerve stress
Interventional Pain Management
If symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, we offer targeted, minimally invasive procedures to relieve pain:
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) - Delivers corticosteroid medication near the inflamed nerve to reduce pain and swelling
Selective Nerve Root Blocks - Precisely targets the affected nerve for both diagnosis and symptom relief
Medial Branch Blocks & Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) - Helpful if facet joint arthritis is contributing to your neck pain
Fluoroscopic Cervical Traction (in select cases) - Gently decompresses the cervical spine under imaging guidance
When Is Surgery Considered?
Surgical intervention may be recommended if you have:
Severe or progressive weakness
Unrelenting pain despite conservative and interventional treatment
Spinal cord compression or myelopathy
Common surgical options include anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), posterior foraminotomy, or disc replacement.
Find Relief with Expert Care
At Parkview Spine & Pain, we use advanced diagnostics and tailored treatment plans to help patients with cervical radiculopathy return to a pain-free, active life. Whether you're dealing with radiating arm pain or neck stiffness that won’t go away, we’re here to guide you toward lasting relief.
👉 Schedule a consultation today to explore your options.