Pinched nerve in your neck?

At some point many people get pinched nerves in their neck that result in numbness or pain going into their arms. Some folks confuse this with shoulder problems, or carpal tunnel syndrome, but diagnostic imaging and tests that orthopedic healthcare providers do can routinely diagnose this condition, also known to the medical field as ‘cervical radiculopathy’. There are options for managing cervical radiculopathy:

Physical therapy - The majority of cervical radiculopathy will resolve with nonsurgical management within several months. In physical therapy, a physical therapist will determine whether your symptoms are coming from cervical radiculopathy and instruct you in exercises to abolish your symptoms.

Oral anti-inflammatory medication - Anti-inflammatory medications have been shown to reduce symptoms associated with cervical radiculopathy. Over the counter medications may have some effect, but prescription medications may be more effective if lower doses are not.

Injections - Some evidence supports the use of injections to reduce inflammation surrounding nerves in your neck. Consider the use of injections if physical therapy and oral anti-inflammatory medications have proven to not be effective.

Surgery - There are a variety of surgeries that may address symptoms of cervical radiculopathy. Surgery to decompress the nerves in your neck is generally effective. These surgeries are generally minimally invasive and do not require any prolonged inpatient recovery. Of course, there are risks associated with surgery, and these are worth discussing with a neurosurgeon who is experienced in performing cervical nerve root decompression surgeries.

For more specifics regarding managing cervical radiculopathy, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeff Paskewitz by calling (609)-751-1807.