What Is The Best Treatment For Cervical Radiculopathy?

The spine is composed of vertebrae and the spinal cord, which runs through the center of these vertebral bones. When they are misaligned, nerve roots will extend to various parts of the body. Radiculopathy occurs when these nerve roots become damaged or pinched. Cervical radiculopathy affects the neck area. At Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Christopher Williams can treat cervical radiculopathy to relieve pain and restore mobility in his patients. Learn what can be done for cervical radiculopathy at our office.

Radiculopathy symptoms

Once a nerve root has been pinched or damaged, it will become inflamed, leading to several symptoms, including:

Weakness in the limb
Pain in the arm, shoulder, back, or leg
Pain that worsens with exercise or strenuous activity
Tingling or numbness in the arm, hands, or fingers

For some patients in Atlanta, GA, their symptoms may remain constant, but others may notice there are periods of time that theirs worsen or disappear altogether. During your initial consultation at Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Williams can evaluate your symptoms to determine the best treatment for your needs.

Causes of radiculopathy

Radiculopathy is usually caused by a shift or change of tissues in the spine. When these tissues shift, they cause pressure to be placed on your nerve roots. This shifting can also cause narrowing of the area where the nerve roots travel through, known as foraminal stenosis. Some factors that lead to this narrowing include:

Herniated or bulging discs: Your discs act as a cushion between your vertebrae. Sometimes, these discs slip out of place or become damaged and press on your nerves.
Bone spurs: This extra bone growth can form in the spine due to trauma, osteoarthritis, or degenerative health conditions.
Thickening of ligaments in the spine: This can lead to the narrowing of the space around your nerve roots, which compresses nerves causing radiculopathy symptoms.

To be properly diagnosed with radiculopathy, Dr. Williams conducts a physical exam, imaging tests, or even a nerve conduction study to determine the cause of your radiculopathy.

How we treat radiculopathy

To treat radiculopathy, the location and cause of your condition need to first be identified. In most cases, a conservative approach is first administered, such as medication, physical therapy, or steroid injections, that helps reduce swelling and restore movement. When these methods are ineffective, minimally invasive surgery is the best option to release any compression or inflammation on a nerve root. Dr. Williams may also recommend lifestyle changes that can help you recover and prevent the condition from occurring again.

Preventing radiculopathy relapses

While you can’t prevent radiculopathy entirely, staying healthy helps reduce your risk of radiculopathy. Also, having good posture while sitting, working at a computer, playing sports, and lifting heavy objects is important.

Learn more on compression release treatments in Atlanta, GA

Radiculopathy is a serious condition that can affect your neck and back. When left untreated, it can lead to different symptoms that affect a patient’s daily life. Dr. Christopher Williams offers advanced treatment options to for cervical radiculopathy. This allows space for decreased pressure and reduces symptoms. To learn more about these treatments and to schedule a consultation at Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, call our office today.