Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment in Dubai
Overview
Shooting pain, tingling, or numbness down your arm – these symptoms can be frustrating and disrupt your daily life. One major reason behind this ailment could be Cervical Radiculopathy, a condition where a pinched nerve in your neck sends distress signals radiating down your arm. This can be caused by wear and tear from everyday activities or a sudden injury.
If you’re experiencing unexplained arm pain, especially when it originates from your neck, our team of neurologists at King’s Spine Centre can offer a thorough diagnosis and various options for Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment in Dubai.
Understanding Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical Radiculopathy, or “pinched nerve,” happens when a particular nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated at its exit point from the spinal cord. This can lead to pain radiating into the shoulder and arm, as well as muscle weakness and numbness.
Cervical radiculopathy can arise from two main culprits. In older adults, it often develops gradually due to age-related wear and tear on the spine, similar to arthritis. For younger individuals, a sudden injury, such as a herniated disc, is a more frequent cause of the condition.
However, sometimes, symptoms arise without a clear traumatic event.
Generally, cervical radiculopathy treatment may involve conservative treatments like medication and physical therapy.
Commonality of the diseaseCervical Radiculopathy is relatively common, affecting about 85 out of every 100,000 people. In over half of these cases, the C7 nerve root is involved, while around a quarter of cases affect the C6 nerve root. |
Who does Cervical Radiculopathy affect?
Cervical Radiculopathy can affect anyone, but it is more prevalent in adults. Individuals under 50 are more likely to develop cervical radiculopathy due to a herniated disk. For those in their 50s and 60s, disk degeneration is a more common cause. In people aged 70 and above, cervical radiculopathy often results from foraminal narrowing due to arthritis.
Causes of Cervical Radiculopathy
Common causes of cervical radiculopathy include:
- Degenerative Changes: In middle-aged individuals, normal age-related degenerative changes in the discs can exert pressure on nerve roots. For instance, cervical foraminal stenosis occurs when these changes narrow the vertebral openings, pinching the nerve roots.
- Injury: In younger individuals, cervical radiculopathy often results from a ruptured disc, typically due to trauma. Discs may herniate during activities like bending, lifting, twisting, or pulling. When a disc herniates, its material compresses or inflames the nerve root, leading to pain.
Less frequently, cervical radiculopathy is caused by:
- Infections in the spine
- Spinal tumours due to cancer
- Benign (noncancerous) spinal growths
- Sarcoidosis, characterized by the growth of inflammatory cells
Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy
Before you reach out for a concrete neck pinched nerve treatment, you must understand the symptoms well.
In most cases, cervical radiculopathy pain commences in the neck and radiates down the arm, moving along the path of the affected nerve. This pain is often described as burning or sharp. Certain neck movements, such as extending or straining the neck or turning the head, can exacerbate the pain.
Other symptoms include:
- Tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation in the fingers or hand
- Weakness in the muscles of the shoulder, hand or the entire arm
- Loss of sensation
Among various cervical radiculopathy remedies, some patients find that placing their hands on top of their heads can reduce pain, as this movement may temporarily alleviate pressure on the nerve root.
Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy
Fortunately, over 85% of cervical radiculopathy cases improve without specific treatments within 8 to 12 weeks.
If symptoms persist, several treatment options are available:
Nonsurgical Treatment
There are many non-invasive approaches for c5, c7, c8 or c6 radiculopathy treatment.
- Soft Cervical Collar: This is a supportive padded ring for whiplash or mild neck pain. A soft cervical pad wraps around the neck and is secured with velcro. It can help rest the neck muscles and limit motion, reducing nerve root pinching. However, it should only be worn for a short period to avoid weakening the neck muscles.
- Physical Therapy: Physical Therapy is one of the most recommended cervical radiculopathy therapies. Specific exercises can reduce pain, strengthen neck muscles, and enhance the range of motion. Traction can also gently stretch the neck’s joints and muscles.
Medications can also help manage symptoms:
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can reduce pain caused by an inflamed nerve.
- Oral Corticosteroids: A course of oral corticosteroids (injections) may reduce swelling and inflammation around the nerve, providing pain relief.
- Steroid Injections: Steroids can be injected near the affected nerve to decrease local inflammation. These injections can be epidural, selective nerve injections, or into the facet joint. While they don’t relieve pressure on the nerve from a narrow foramen or a herniated disk, they can reduce swelling and pain, allowing the nerve to recover.
Surgical Intervention
If nonsurgical treatments do not alleviate your symptoms over time, your doctor may suggest surgery. Several surgical procedures can address cervical radiculopathy, including:
Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
This procedure involves removing the problematic disc or bone spurs and stabilizing the spine through spinal fusion. The primary goal is to restore spinal alignment and increase the space for nerve roots to exit the spine. This procedure limits motion across the affected spinal segment.
Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) / Cervical Total Disc Arthroplasty (TDA)
In this procedure, the degenerated disc is removed similarly to the ACDF procedure. However, instead of fusing the vertebrae, a disc replacement is inserted. This allows for continued motion in that spinal segment, reducing pressure on adjacent discs.
Reach out for comprehensive and the best Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment in Dubai at King’s Spine Centre
Regain control of your movements and say goodbye to radiating arm pain. At King’s Spine Centre, we offer comprehensive treatment plans for cervical radiculopathy. Our expert team of doctors for cervical radiculopathy will assess your individual case and create a personalized approach to alleviate your discomfort and restore your full range of motion. Don’t let neck pain limit your life.
Schedule an appointment with King’s Spine Centre today – A pain-free and mobile future awaits you!
