Cervical radiculopathy signs and symptoms typically include pins-and-needles tingling, numbness, and/or weakness in the areas served by the affected nerve root. In addition to these neurological deficits, pain is also present in most cases. These signs and symptoms may be felt in one area only, such as the shoulder, or progress along the entire arm and into the hand and fingers.
Cervical radiculopathy signs and symptoms are most commonly on just one side of the body, but they can be on both sides. If neurological deficits become severe or go into the hand, they can reduce the ability to perform many routine tasks, such as gripping or lifting objects, writing, typing, or getting dressed.
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Neurological Deficits in Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy results in neurological deficits and pain radiating down the arm and/or hand.
Cervical radiculopathy involves one or more of the following neurological deficits that may be experienced in the neck, shoulder, arm, hand, and/or fingers:
- Sensory. Feelings of numbness or reduced sensation in the skin. There may also be tingling, electrical sensations.
- Motor. Weakness or reduced coordination in one or more muscles.
- Reflex. Changes in the body’s involuntary (automatic) reflex responses. Some examples may include diminished ability to respond when the skin touches hot or cold, or possibly a reduced triceps or biceps reflex when the elbow is tapped by a rubber hammer during an exam.
Cervical nerve roots are comprised of both motor and sensory fibers. Whether cervical radiculopathy signs involve diminished motor movement or sensation (or both) depends on which fibers are damaged by the radiculopathy.
How Pain May Feel with Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy is typically accompanied by some form of radicular pain, but not always. In cases where cervical radiculopathy involves pain, it can range anywhere from a dull, general discomfort or achiness to a sharp, shock-like or burning pain.Cervical radicular pain may be felt anywhere from neck all the way down the arm into the fingers.
See Understanding Hand Pain and Numbness
While a radiculopathy is commonly accompanied by radicular pain, the two are not the same. A radiculopathy involves a neurological deficit, whereas radicular pain can occur without a neurological deficit. It is possible to have cervical radiculopathy with little to no pain in the neck and/or arm, but most cases do involve pain in addition to the neurological deficits.
Cervical Radiculopathy Signs and Symptoms by Location
Cervical radiculopathy signs and symptoms differ depending on which nerve root is affected. For example, C6 radiculopathy occurs when the nerve root that runs above the C6 vertebra is affected.
While any patient's specific signs and symptoms can vary widely and do not always follow a predictable pattern, 1 the following are common descriptions for how cervical radiculopathy may differ by location:
- C5 radiculopathy. Tingling, numbness, and/or pain may go from the neck into the shoulder and/or down the arm and into the thumb. Weakness may be experienced in the shoulder or upper arm.
- C6 radiculopathy. Tingling, numbness, and/or pain may radiate through the arm and into the second digit (index finger). Weakness may occur in the front of the upper arm (biceps) or wrist.
- C7 radiculopathy. Tingling, numbness, and/or pain may be felt down the arm and into the middle finger. Weakness may be experienced in the back of the upper arm (triceps).
- C8 radiculopathy. Tingling, numbness, and/or pain may radiate down the arm and into the little finger. Handgrip strength may be reduced.
See All About the C7-T1 Spinal Segment (Cervicothoracic Junction)
Less commonly, cervical radiculopathy can occur higher in the cervical spine, such as C4 radiculopathy or higher. While rare, it is also possible to have nerve compression or inflammation at multiple levels of the cervical spine at the same time, resulting in multiple radiculopathies.
Signs and Symptoms May Be Affected by Position or Movement
Symptoms of cervical radiculopathy can deteriorate when the neck is bent forward for an extended period.
Sometimes cervical radiculopathy signs and symptoms flare up with certain activities, such as bending the neck forward to peer at a mobile phone or laptop screen for long periods, and will resolve when the neck is supported and at rest. For others, signs and symptoms may become persistent and do not resolve when the neck is in a supported, resting position.
