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Chapter-20 Cervical Radiculopathy Pain and Its Management

BOOK TITLE: Symptom Oriented Pain Management

Author
1. Baranidharan G
ISBN
9789350257975
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11597_20
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2012
Pages
8
Author Affiliations
1. Medicine, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, NHS Trust, UK, Leeds University, UK
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Abstract

Cervical radiculopathy is characterized by dysfunction of a cervical spinal nerve, the root of the nerve or both. C7 and C6 are nerves mostly affected by it. Nerve root irritation is found to be secondary to disk herniations in adults but in elders, it is degenerative changes. Heavy manual duties, smoking, driving, operating vibration equipments and awkward neck posture are causes for cervical radiculopathy. Neck and arm pain, loss of grip, red flag’ symptoms and cervical myelopathy symptoms are sign of cervical radiculopathy. Sensory testing, foraminal compression test, shoulder abduction test and neck distraction test are useful in clinical examination. Blood Tests, MRI, CT, EMG and SNRB are most widely used diagnosis tools. Differential diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy includes peripheral entrapment syndromes, herpes zoster, thoracic outlet syndrome, brachial plexus neuralgia etc. NSAID is frequently used to control the pain. Exercise therapy can be implemented after the controlled of initial pain. CESI is used when physical therapy fails. Nucleoplasty cervical traction and surgery techniques are used as treatments.

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