Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Sharp or burning pain into the shoulder, arm, or hand
- Numbness or tingling in the arm or fingers
- Weakness in the arm, hand, or grip
- Pain worsened by certain neck positions
- Headaches at the base of the skull
Cervical
Radiculopathy .
Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve in the neck becomes irritated or compressed, often from a disc herniation or arthritis. Symptoms may include pain traveling into the shoulder or arm, along with numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand or fingers.
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Diagnosis first. Treatment second.
Cervical (Neck) spine condition treated with conservative options first and motion-preserving surgery when needed.
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Cervical Radiculopathy at a glance
- What it is: Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve in the neck becomes irritated or compressed, often from a disc herniation or arthritis. Symptoms may include pain traveling into the shoulder or arm, along with numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand or fingers.
- Common symptoms: Sharp or burning pain into the shoulder, arm, or hand; Numbness or tingling in the arm or fingers; Weakness in the arm, hand, or grip.
- First-line treatment: Physical therapy — Manual therapy, neck-specific strengthening, and traction can resolve many cases.
- When surgery is considered: progressive symptoms, neurological changes, or pain unresponsive to conservative care.
Symptoms & causes
Understanding cervical radiculopathy
Causes
Common causes
- Cervical disc herniation
- Bone spurs or arthritis
- Foraminal narrowing
- Whiplash or other neck trauma
How Dr. Yasmeh treats it
Treatment options
Dr. Yasmeh starts with the least-invasive option that fits your case and only escalates when clearly needed.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Most patients improve without surgery. Dr. Yasmeh sequences therapy, medication, and targeted injections before considering operative options.
- Physical therapy — Manual therapy, neck-specific strengthening, and traction can resolve many cases.
- Medication — NSAIDs, oral steroids, and neuropathic-pain medication reduce inflammation and pain.
- Cervical epidural steroid injection — Image-guided injection delivered around the irritated nerve.
Surgical care
When neededWhen surgery is the right answer
When non-operative care has not worked or symptoms are progressive, Dr. Yasmeh offers motion-preserving techniques whenever clinically appropriate.
- Minimally invasive decompression or microdiscectomy — For symptoms that do not improve with conservative care.
Common questions
About cervical radiculopathy.
- Most patients improve with conservative care — physical therapy, medication, and targeted injections. Dr. Yasmeh only recommends surgery when symptoms are progressive, when there is neurological compromise, or when conservative care has not resolved the problem.
- Diagnosis combines a careful history, physical exam, and imaging (typically MRI). Dr. Yasmeh reviews your imaging with you in plain language so you understand what's happening.
- Yes — Dr. Yasmeh offers second opinions, especially for patients told they need fusion. He evaluates motion-preserving alternatives like laminoplasty or artificial disc replacement when clinically appropriate.
- Dr. Yasmeh sees patients at four offices across Greater Los Angeles: East LA (1700 E Cesar Chavez Ave), Glendale (1505 Wilson Terrace), Santa Fe Springs (12215 Telegraph Rd), and Tarzana (18840 Ventura Blvd).
Related procedures
Procedures Dr. Yasmeh performs for this condition
Microdiscectomy
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreCervical Laminoplasty
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreEpidural Steroid Injection
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreMinimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreReady when you are
Get clarity on your cervical radiculopathy today.
Same-week appointments. Four Greater LA offices. Most insurance accepted.