OrthoGeorgia Orthopaedic Spine Specialist, Wayne Kelley Jr., MD, Discusses Cervical Radiculopathy

Understanding Cervical Radiculopathy

Hello. My name is Wayne Kelley. I’m an orthopaedic spine surgeon here at OrthoGeorgia, and I’m here today to talk to you about cervical radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy is when one of the nerves has come off the spinal cord in this part of your cervical spine. When one of these nerves gets compressed by a disc or from a bone spur in the back of these facet joints, that can press on the nerve. If that nerve gets compressed, it can cause pain, numbness, and tingling down your arm and into your hand. Most of the time this pain will get better with conservative care. About 85% of people get by without surgery.

Diagnosing Cervical Radiculopathy

To be diagnosed: first, you need to see your spine surgeon. The spine surgeon will first start off with a physical exam. During that exam, they’ll test your strength. They’ll test the sensational specific dermatomes and with that physical exam they’ll also take a set of X-rays of the neck so we can get a picture of the bony structure. During that time, we’ll figure out where the pain is coming from and order a course of treatment. 

Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment in Central GA

First line of treatment is usually with anti-inflammatories we call NSAIDs, like Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, also perhaps a nerve medicine like Gabapentin or Lyrica to help with nerve pain. Steroids to help decrease inflammation and perhaps also a course of physical therapy to work on some strengthening and stretching to help relieve the pain. Then if they’re still having pain, numbness, and tingling that’s unbearable or if they’re having progressive neurological deficits, then this could lead to a surgery. 

Surgery for Cervical Radiculopathy

Most of the time, this surgery is done from the front. We call this an anterior cervical decompression and fusion. It could also be an anterior cervical disc replacement. Depending on where the compression is coming from, sometimes we’ll go to the back of the neck and make a small incision and open up that space around the nerve. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms with neck pain that radiates down your arm into your hands, then please give us a call here at OrthoGeorgia and see what we can do to help you out.

Schedule an Appointment for Back Care in Central GA

At OrthoGeorgia, Dr. Kelley and our experienced spine surgeons are proud to help patients overcome neck and back pain. We work with patients at our offices in Macon, Warner Robins, Kathleen, Milledgeville, and Dublin, GA, creating personalized treatment plans for each patient who comes to see us. Don’t let back pain keep you from living life to the fullest – contact your nearest OrthoGeorgia clinic location to schedule an appointment today.