Pain in the neck? Cervical radiculopathy or "pinched nerve" is a common cause of neck, shoulder, and arm pain

SYMPTOMS & DIAGNOSIS

Cervical radiculopathy is a common condition sometimes referred to as a “pinched nerve”.  A pinched nerve in your neck — usually due to normal wear and tear, bone spurs, and/or a disc herniation — can cause neck pain, shoulder or shoulder blade pain, radiating arm pain, numbness/tingling, and even weakness.  Common symptoms frequently include pain near the shoulder blade or back of the shoulder as well.  Symptoms generally start out of the blue but can be associated with an injury.  Driving and sleeping can be difficult for many patients due to the pain.

In addition to a detailed history and physical exam, imaging of the neck is used to confirm the diagnosis. Imaging may initially include x-rays. If treatment requires surgery or an injection, an MRI of the cervical spine is also needed.

TREATMENT

Non-surgical

Most patients can be treated without surgery for a pinched nerve.  

• Time: symptoms generally improve within a few weeks, on average 6-12 weeks.

• Anti-inflammatory medications: over-the-counter NSAIDs can help reduce pain.

• Physical therapy: helpful in reducing the pain from a pinched nerve.

• Injections: x-ray guided steroid injection by an interventional spine specialist can often relieve pain.

Surgical

Some patients may need surgical management if severe pain or weakness persists.  Surgery usually consists of an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF).  The goal of the surgery is to restore space around the pinched nerve and relieve symptoms as the nerve heals.  About 80-90% of patients have good relief of pain following this type of surgery.

For more information, please visit OrthoInfo, the patient-education site from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.