Cervical Radiculopathy and Myelopathy

The cervical nerves are large spinal nerves that branch from the spinal cord in the neck and travel into the arms, shoulders, upper back and hands where they control motor and sensory activities. The initial segment of the nerves that exit the spine is called the nerve root. Injury or compression of a cervical nerve root can lead to cervical radiculopathy, a condition characterized by neck pain that radiates to the shoulder and arm. It is also referred to as nerve root impingement, nerve entrapment or a pinched nerve. Besides pain, cervical radiculopathy can also affect hand movements and coordination and cause numbness or decreased sensation.Cervical myelopathy refers to compression of the spinal cord due to narrowing of the vertebral canal in an area within the neck. This condition usually results in gradual loss of strength and coordination.