I am pleased to participate in 3rd week of SLC Season 21. This week, we will be learning Cervical Radiculopathy. So Let's start,
Before I explain what cervical radiculopathy is I would love to start from very basic because our instructor has asked us to write in our own words. The word Cervical derives from the Latin word “cervix,” which means “neck.” In the case of cervical radiculopathy, it is the issue of our neck. We all know about the Cervical nerve around our neck, which is a set of eight pairs of spinal nerves that originate from the cervical region of the spinal cord or neck. If the nerves in human's neck are compressed or irritated and ends in tolerable or intolerable pain, then that is called cervical radiculopathy. Or we can say, It is a medical condition reasoned by pressure on the nerves of the neck area. These nerves send signals to the arms, shoulders, and fingers. When a nerve root in this area is "pinched," it obstacles the normal flow of nerve signals.
These nerves travel from the spine in the neck down into the shoulders, arms, and hands. This can cause discomfort, weakness, or unusual sensations in the areas that the affected nerve serves. Let me explain this more simply with an example. Imagine carrying water to the garden (your arms and shoulders) through the water pipe (which symbolizes your spine). When the pipe is straight, water reaches every part of the garden effortlessly. But if there is a bend in the pipe near the faucet (near the jugular vein), the flow of water is obstructed, and some parts do not get enough water. I think everyone has this experience. Similarly, when a nerve in the neck is stressed, the signal flow through that nerve is interrupted, affecting the parts connected to that nerve. This can cause pain, weakness or unusual sensations in the shoulders, arms or hands, just as parts of the garden are not being watered properly if the water reaches less.
| Physical examination is first process of any diagnosis. Physical examination is the basic information about the patient on which the next tests will depend. |
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| Spine X-ray is the most common tests which is done through imaging for diagnosis it. |
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| Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI uses a magnet, radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of patients body |
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| Computed Tomography or CT scan is the text to figure out the structures inside of patients body by using X-rays |
| Electromyography or EMG is a test throgh which measures muscle response |
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| Lastly the Nerve Conduction Study or NCS test which is an effective test for diagnosis Cervical radiculopathy. |
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You know the golden sentence "prevention is better then cure" -So we should
How would I diagnose Cervical radiculopathy is in the way I mentioned in the first question. And yes I will go for both clinical investigation and assessment tests. Here I am going to write about it in a well arranged way. Diagnosing cervical radiculopathy needs a combination of tests ( physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests) to confirm the presence of it and not only the presence but also the location of nerve compression in the cervical spine can also be determined though this tests. The very first thing I will do is
Spurling’s Test: The therapist extends the neck, tilts it toward the affected side, and applies gentle downward pressure on the head. This test provoke pain.
Shoulder Abduction Test: This text helps relieve pain . Here for comfirm ghe symptoms clear they recommend raising patient's arm above his head to assess the nerves, which or where he feels the irritation.
Cervical Distraction Tests - physiotherapist holds the patient's head and pull it very slightly. While doing this he communicates with the patient to know about the pain either ut increases or decreases.
X-ray is the most common test for cheacking degenerative changes like I mentioned above the bone spurs or narrowing of the spaces between vertebrae.
Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI is most usefull test for cervical radiculopathy which uses a magnet, radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of patients body like soft tissues, including discs, nerves, and spinal cord.
Computed Tomography or CT scan is the alternative of MRI. I mean when MRI isn’t available for any reason the doctor suggest CT scan.
Electromyography or EMG is a test throgh which measures muscle response. It helps figure out the nerve damage and some other other conditions that could be causing similar symptoms.
Nerve Conduction Study or NCS test which is an effective test for diagnosis Cervical radiculopathy. It shows the nerve damage is due to compression or irrigation.
In this lesson there are Isometric Neck Flexion, Isometric Cervical Rotation, Isometric Neck Extension,Isometrics Neck Retraction, Trapezoius, Scalene, Levator Scapulae Stretch. I have practice all this excercises but couldn’t capture all of them but I capture three of them.
As the exercise name it is for neck flexion. It strengthen our muscles around neck
In this exercise I place my palm on forhead and hold for a while then release and rest.
It's a head motion exercise and I use my hand on head to stop moving my head and push into it. I did it for a while and then relax.
In this exercise we have to look at celling. I place my hand behind my head and push it into head. I did it fot a while and relax.
In this particular exercise, I press my forehead by my hand palm. It was a gentle pressure and feels really good after practising this. I was gentely pushing my head forward and resist by my plam. It is not showing because my neck is covered but I think you can understand by my picture. By this I feel my front neck muscle was strengthen than before. Also improves my neck stability and easy movement.
In this exercise, I move my neck both right and left. I did this repeatedly and then I use my one hand to stop movie. It was reliefing. My neck area was very free to movement. Actually without knowing this, I use to do this, why it was a regular exercise for me and of course it strengthen neck mucles and give a refreshing change.
In this exercise we have to look at celling. After practicing this exercise I feel so good at my back neck. Also I feel good at my spine. This exercise was something else which relieve pressure of my back neck.
I am inviting my friends @drhira
@m-fdo @sualeha to participate in this SLC
Cc: @ashkhan