Course Description:

Cervical radiculopathy is a condition involving the compression of a cervical nerve root by either vertebral degeneration (spondylosis) or herniated disk material as the nerve exits the neural (intervertebral) foramen. This can result in symptoms within the neck and ipsilateral upper extremity, which can vary depending on the involved nerve root. The average annual age-adjusted incidence of cervical radiculopathy is 83.2 per 100,000 persons. It is most common in the fifth and sixth decades. Most cervical radiculopathy cases are due to slowly developing cervical osteoarthritis, which is more commonly found in older adults. In comparison, less often cervical radiculopathy cases are found in younger patients due to disc herniation, inflammation or space occupying lesion. The remaining cases are caused by tumors or infections.
When treating patients with cervical radiculopathy, many physical therapy interventions (e.g., mechanical traction, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and pain modalities) have historically been used, despite limited evidence. However, some recent studies have shown that cervical traction along with a multimodal treatment approach is best when treating patients with the condition. Research on the efficacy of short-term cervical collar use, corticosteroid injections, and surgery has also seen positive results. Three-quarters of all patients with cervical radiculopathy will experience spontaneous resolution of their symptoms within 5 years from the onset of symptoms.