Although steroid injections do not relieve the pressure on the nerve caused by a narrow foramen or by a bulging or herniated disk, they may lessen the swelling and relieve the pain long enough to allow the nerve to recover.The lateral cervical X-ray provides the doctor with potential pathological and biomechanical information that will aid in the care of the patient. The injection may be placed between the laminae (epidural injection), in the foramen (selective nerve injection), or into the facet joint. In this procedure, steroids are injected near the affected nerve to reduce local inflammation. A short course of oral corticosteroids may help relieve pain by reducing swelling and inflammation around the nerve. NSAIDs, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, may provide relief if your pain is caused by nerve irritation or inflammation.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).In some cases, medications can help improve your symptoms. In some cases, traction can be used to gently stretch the joints and muscles of the neck. Specific exercises can help relieve pain, strengthen neck muscles, and improve range of motion. A soft collar should only be worn for a short period of time since long-term wear may decrease the strength of the muscles in your neck. This can help decrease the pinching of the nerve roots that accompany movement of the neck. Your doctor may advise you to wear a soft cervical collar to allow the muscles in your neck to rest and to limit neck motion. This is a padded ring that wraps around the neck and is held in place with Velcro. Initial treatment for cervical radiculopathy is nonsurgical. These patients require evaluation and treatment. In some cases, cervical radiculopathy does not improve, however. Even when this occurs, it usually gets better without any specific treatment. It is also common for cervical radiculopathy that has improved to return at some point in the future. For some patients, the pain goes away relatively quickly-in days or weeks. It is important to note that the majority of patients with cervical radiculopathy get better over time and do not need treatment. Together, these tests can help your doctor determine whether your symptoms are caused by pressure on spinal nerve roots and nerve damage or by another condition that causes damage to nerves, such as diabetes. Nerve conduction studies are often done along with EMG to determine if a nerve is functioning normally. Electromyography measures the electrical impulses of the muscles at rest and during contractions. It can also help your doctor determine whether there is any damage to your spinal cord or nerve roots.Įlectromyography (EMG). An MRI of the neck can show if your nerve compression is caused by damage to soft tissues-such as a bulging or herniated disk. These studies create better images of the body's soft tissues. More detailed than a plain x-ray, a CT scan can help your doctor determine whether you have developed bone spurs near the foramen in your cervical spine. It can also reveal whether there is any narrowing of the foramen and damage to the disks.Ĭomputerized tomography (CT) scans. An x-ray will show the alignment of bones along your neck. These provide images of dense structures, such as bone.

Your doctor may also ask you to perform certain neck and arm movements to try to recreate and/or relieve your symptoms. He or she will then examine your neck, shoulder, arms and hands-looking for muscle weakness, loss of sensation, or any change in your reflexes. After discussing your medical history and general health, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms.

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