Cervical Radiculopathy - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

Dr. Ebraheim’s educational animated video describes the condition of cervical spine radiculopathy.
Follow me on twitter:
#!/DrEbraheim_UTMC
Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy is caused by cervical nerve root compression. The patient will have pain and/or progressive neurological deficit that results from conditions such as disc herniation that irritates a nerve in the cervical spine. Cervical radiculopathy is an irritation of the cervical nerve root. Cervical spine and shoulder problems overlap. The condition is of cervical spine etiology if the patient’s symptoms are relieved by shoulder abduction, by placing the hand over the head. The relief of the symptoms occurs due to decreased tension on the nerve roots. In cervical disc problems, be aware of false positive MRIs especially if the patient is above the age of 40 years old. Nerve conduction studies are not useful; they have a high false negative rate. EMG and nerve studies may differentiate radiculopathy from peripheral nerve entrapment. Cervical disc problems usually affect the lower numbered nerve root. When you see the middle finger numbness, then this is C7. When compression of the C7 nerve root, there will be middle finger numbness, triceps weakness, and the triceps reflex will be affected. The cervical nerve roots are horizontal in orientation. It does not matter if cervical disc herniation is central or foraminal, it will compress the same nerve root. C7 nerve root runs above the pedicle of the C7 vertebra. C5-C6 is the most commonly affected disc and that will compress the C6 nerve root. The patient will come to the doctor with unilateral arm pain that is relieved by arm elevation. The numbness and paresthesia will occur in specific dermatomes. The patient may also have upper trapezius pain or interscapular pain. The patient may complain of occipital headache. When you examine the patient, do provocative tests such as the spurling’s test and the shoulder abduction test. The Spurling’s test is done by extending and rotating the neck towards the involved side. It reproduces the symptoms by narrowing the neuroforamen. The Spurling’s test differentiates cervical radiculopathy from peripheral nerve entrapment. Lifting the arm above the head relieves the symptoms if the cervical nerve roots are irritated. The Shoulder Abduction test differentiates cervical pathology from other causes of painful shoulder etiology. Make sure that you do not have a double crush syndrome, one in the neck and one in the peripheral nerve. Make sure that you differentiate radiculopathy from myelopathy. Make sure that you exclude a coexisting myelopathy. Examine the patient for upper motor neuron signs or cervical myelopathy. Test the patient for gait instability. Test the patient for Hoffman’s sign. Test the patient for Babinski reflex. Test the patient for ankle Clonus. Check to see if the patient has hyperflexia in the upper and lower extremities (triceps/quadriceps). Even if there is a bad cervical spine disc problem on the MRI, treat it conservatively for about 3 months. Give the patient therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDS). 75% of the patients will improve with nonoperative treatment. Cervical radiculopathy is generally treated nonoperatively, in contrast to cervical myelopathy. Do surgery when there is persistent, severe pain for 6-12 weeks and/or progressive neurological deficit such as weakness or numbness. The procedure to treat cervical radiculopathy surgically is usually done anteriorly with direct removal of the lesion that causes the radiculopathy such as a herniated disc or spurs. When you place the anterior bone graft or the allograft in the disc space, you open the nueroforamen, and that will indirectly relieve the nerve. Then you will add the anterior plate. Some surgeons prefer to do a posterior approach.

[@alberto-4642]

I don't understand how someone could dislike your videos. Great information, really practical and daily work transferable. Keep doing this, very helpful Doc!

[@nabilebraheim]

Alberto - Thank you

[@MM-yi9zn]

This is the Best Ever explanation of my hand & arm issues. Thanks SO much.

[@dithishetty6120]

Clearly one of the best teachers out there, you make such a complicated subject so easy , love those animated videos .

[@wafaaaburaya5588]

THANK YOU PROF. DR. NABIL FOR THIS EXCELLENT EXPLANATION 🎉🎉🎉

[@galathoughtart]

I appreciate your simplified explanations, now I am better prepared to discuss my options (cervical stenosis, herniated c4-c5-c-6-c7,foraminal stenosis too).

[@lexc8714]

Cannot thank you enough sir. You are one of the rare ones across the world who is generous and willing to teach. Gracias ❤

[@premkumarsinha3672]

excellent way to explain the cervical radiculopathy. thank you

[@attara945]

Excellent and simplified. God bless you Dr Nabil.

[@universeusa]

Doc, thank you so much for this educational video, it helps greatly!

[@jembenben]

Thank you, Dr. Ebraheim for this information. It helped me understand my condition better. I am currently under physical therapy and medication because of cervical radiculopathy that causes me to have neuropathic pain. Your explanation helped me understand why I feel painful pins and needles on certain parts of my hands and back in relation to C6 and C7 as what I have also heard from my doctor. Thank you.

[@preciousjewel7297]

This is an excellent video. I was just diagnosed with this condition. I love how you broke this down. I subscribed.

[@6m2garden66]

Thank you so much for posting this video!

[@johnstoroschuck6667]

A GREAT PRESENTATION !!! THANKS JOHN

[@jeevespreston4740]

Thank you Dr. Ebraheim, this is a GREAT video! I wish I'd have found this 3 months ago when my condition started... Not sure it would have changed the course of my treatment, but I certainly would have been much more informed...

[@dianitajonkman]

Excellent explanation. Very clear. Thank you so much!

[@Lishaaaaaaa]

You absolutely wonderful man. Thank you, Dr.

[@KittyGamer0615]

Thank you so much for your videos. They are so helpful!

[@krishnajain1527]

So explicitly explained . Thankyou so much for the trouble you hace taken sir. May god bless you and your family .

[@Serenity6145]

Much appreciated - a much easy summary than what my consultant provided.

[@db1cocmentalhealth410]

This was very helpful. I appreciate it!

[@pooranpanwar7133]

Thank you! Can you please advise on the exercises to treat the issue is in C6, C7. thanks again.

[@dakshinyamydc2894]

Thank you so much for the video .It was very helpful.

[@jamesjarman5003]

great talk but as a pain doctor i'd add a few things to treatment. First NSAIDS / anti inflammatories are often not effective for nerve pain. Try nerve pain medications such as amitriptyline/ nortriptyline, duloxetine or pregabalin/ gabapentin. Second there is the option of epidural injections / pulsed radiofrequency for symptoms that don't improve with medication before going on to surgery.

[@DoktorCay]

There is no speciality called pain doctor so keep your options for yourself

[@HansaJC]

Thank you so much for details

[@chandranis2228]

Thank you Dr. It's very clear and informative.

[@MichellePresleyvocalbrat]

This was invaluable to me as someone who has been diagnosed with cervical nerve compression. It helped me make sense of my MRIs so I'm more informed of what to expect when I see my neurologist. Clear, concise, and to the point. Thank you!!!

[@Mondo7891]

Extremely helpful and clear

[@lisadappa7113]

Just let say your explanations are really easy to understand thank you 😊

[@amiraasaad2107]

best teacher ever

[@doravideos3217]

Thank you! Very well explained.

[@npratiksha6653]

Very helpful tomorrow I have presentation and it's going to be helpful. Thanks alot!!

[@neothomass]

Thanks Doctor... This video is informative, thoroughly enjoyed learning from it.

[@oasis3578]

Very helpful video. Thank you!

[@tennisonchristopher861]

Thanks Dr for the very useful information.

[@Sexychell74]

I will be so glad when I have surgery next month, this pain is killing me and I’m tired of taking muscle relaxers and pain meds

[@mjg5628]

Thank you Doctor for this valuable information. It is very helpful.

[@sumanvannobhadant2133]

Thanks for your very precise information. It is very useful.

[@jonni0909]

You're videos helped me in ortho and even now as a provider

[@savedBygrace29]

Your videos are amazing. So informative and helpful. God bless you Dr Nabil. I only wish you were my physician.

[@user-tq3ge3lw3y]

Thank You! Very useful film!

[@favour1383]

Excellent. Thank you Sir.

[@christineadams2256]

EXCELLENT. THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

[@debrahhansen6679]

Very thankful for this video. It helped me understand my condition better.

[@cressy55555]

Just going through this myself, been told got to have an operation 😢

[@MrUmar62750]

Excellent Demonstration Sir

[@mrhejmohamad2695]

Tnank you very much sir.. God bless you for your effort

[@drdebocherry]

Thank you, that was excellent!

[@shaharyarsheikh6878]

Very helpful style . God bless you sir

[@pfpmsplash]

I love your lessons they are the best!!!! :) thank you so much!!!!

[@deeb.4635]

best explanations ever!

[@sgjgex]

It's very helpful. Thanks

[@apcaaj8789]

Heartly thank you doctor,

[@SatpalSingh-yi4iw]

Amazing, very interesting, very knowledgeable videos

[@Dwightinho56]

Thank you, crystal clear. I’m up for surgery in my neck next week🥹.

[@ringoze]

very informative thank you.

[@paul_rosioru]

I love it ! More ! More ! More videos like this !

[@maryglover8283]

Thank you!

[@9884150954]

Fantastic explanation great job 👌👏👏

[@saraadel6076]

It's very helpful Thank you for your effort 💖

[@1voiceinthecrowd]

Very helpful! Keep making videos please!!!!!!!!!

[@michaeleneribbeck1409]

Your videos are so helpful. Would you please consider producing some videos on ordering physical therapy?

[@wasanthakumara8504]

Great explain. I got many of things to diagnose patients as a doctor

[@nidawaseem3041]

Thank u so much Dr ....this video very helpful to me ....u well explained 👌

[@thajminap9414]

Thank you so much doctor… 🙏

[@cressy55555]

Thanks doc I needed this so now I understand better! I’m having to be operated on as had an issue for over 7 months now 😢

[@bancywilliander3002]

That was very clearly helpful

[@audreyabdo7719]

Very good content Dr.

[@jeevaselvam6730]

U r the bst teacher!! I seeen🙏🤩

[@CaptainAndy99]

Easy to understand

[@pam7349]

Two drs let me go with bone spurs (since 2018) another one over one year with a pinched nerve with a negative nerve conduction test!! Now after two ACDFs I'm going to have to get a third neck surgery. I'm glad I came across your video.... My best friend has also had a false negative nerve conduction test.. I'm a former EMT and I'm not happy with any of these two drs.

[@AbcDef-fd7kg]

What is the solution for this?any idea? Pls help. Im dying due to pain.

[@pam7349]

@@AbcDef-fd7kg Make sure you keep this video. Get yourself a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon who listens to you about your pain and will do the appropriate tests. If they are not following standard treatment for your c spine pain, get another Dr who will listen to you. This video may be the one to show them. Best to you!!

[@fujirama]

Doctor ebraheim you are the master of being concise and precise with all of your topics once again. Thank you very much

[@k-rock353]

Thank you

[@meryhorn10]

Thank you ❤

[@numa1206]

Thank you.

[@eshaumar7598]

Thank you so much ..This video was very informative..I also share it with my friends..✨

[@rebeccaparry9242]

Need doctor's like you mine just make me suffer & i pray everyday for God's healing cause he is are only healer anyone going through these thing's wish you all the very best on medical.

[@seenu_kchsreddy742]

Sir..u r d best ortho teacher..tnx a lot sir..keep us uploading with many more worthful videos🙏💐

[@mohammadsabahzeido731]

شكرا لجهودك

[@craigmedvecky4590]

Yes very helpful. Thank you.

[@Raittway]

My neck is shot. Herniations, foraminal stenosis, radiculopathy and other issues from C1 to C7. Shoulder joint and major trap issues. It started in my 30s and now I'm 65. It causes pain constantly, just a small movement creates shooting nerve pain. I have Ehlers Danlose, Babesia and Lymes. The last 2 were never treated because of false negatives for years. I had knee surgery at 19 and finally got it replaced in 2014. Apparently, my joints and spine create bone spurs. I had shoulder surgery in my 30s for it. I was an architect and couldn't lift my arm one day to draw.

[@STROSR]

EXCELLENT INFO!!!

[@nabilebraheim]

Glad it was helpful!

[@oyshisarker2690]

thank you sir

[@thihangbui9161]

Video Thật tuyệt vời .Cảm ơn bác sĩ.

[@TheOriginalMarimoChan]

Doctor Ebraheim, you are amazing!! Please keep up the awesome work...I am learning so much more than from a book or even other KZbin channels. I think you were put here on earth to help people both on the operating table and beyond!! You are a natural as a teacher and you've been blessed - thanks for blessing us as well!!

[@mathewwesson1566]

You all prolly dont give a shit but does anyone know a tool to log back into an instagram account?? I stupidly lost the login password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me

[@mathiashunter4129]

@Mathew Wesson instablaster :)

[@mathewwesson1566]

@Mathias Hunter Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and I'm trying it out atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@mathewwesson1566]

@Mathias Hunter it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my ass!

[@mathiashunter4129]

@Mathew Wesson happy to help xD

[@mushroomleg]

This was very helpful, doctor Schwarzenegger. I went to the ER thinking I was having a stroke/heart attack cause of the arm pain, but they diagnosed me with possible cervical radiculopathy. The fact that the pain lessens when I elevate my left arm was the smoking gun. Thank u again.

[@starlite7785]

Did u feel vertigo?

[@mushroomleg]

No!

[@aloneforeternity456]

What did you end up doing to get better? Like what treatment or treatments

[@mushroomleg]

Unfortunately it took months of physical therapy to make the pain finally stop. One of the worst things I’ve ever physically experienced. If you do indeed have it now stay strong and keep that arm elevated. People will think you’re constantly trying to politely ask a question but at least u feel a little better.

[@se1102]

thank you so much

[@zoenoel7431]

Thank you so much! New DPT here 🤩

[@jimbobharry2003]

Brilliant. I've had what I believed to be a trapped nerve in my neck for about a week. I now know the issue is likely a C6 root nerve irritation due to the dermatone affected. Amazing work!

[@peny1981]

Hi. How are you feeling now ?

[@elaineaiken7846]

I found your information to be very helpful! Have been researching for a few months now and this is the best in explanation. Your diagrams are clear and relatable to a non medical person. Thank you.

[@user-el9pv8ig1r]

Very informative. I been dealing with these problems for years. Never total relief injured neck wrestling in high school back in the 70,s. Retired now and only answer is surgery. Most info in such a short video. Both my sons in there forties have spine arthritis and my oldest son that is 6 ft.6 had to have plate in his neck 5 years ago with some permanent drop foot. If arthritis is in your family any spine injury at any age can come back and haunt you latter in life.

[@atharpakistani7825]

Thank you Dr Nabil Ibrahim very good work jazzak Allah . I'm from Pakistan 🇵🇰

[@savetommyrobinsonfreespeec7660]

Many thanks! 🙏🏼

[@ggsz6440]

جزاك الله خير وكتب اجرك بالعلم النافع Great⭐⭐🥇

[@ruhmaazab8720]

ان الله لا يضيع أجر من أحسن عملا ........ صدق الله العظيم

[@indersingh8798]

C5

[@diedrichknutzen2637]

Excelente gracias

[@iuliaknoll1609]

Thanke you so much 🙏💖

[@DaniChloe]

Thank you 👍

[@nabilebraheim]

Thanks

[@rufqahsallie3043]

Thank you Dr Ebrahim, this video was very informative. I consulted a neurosurgeon last week and he advised me that the only way to rid the pain, would be surgery or he'll prescribed pain killers. I wasn't very happy with that and opted not to do the surgery. I'm sure with a few physical treatments, my pain will be relieved, God Willing

[@UDAY008]

Which medicine you used

[@mattherzberg991]

Rufqah the human body is capable of incredible healing abilities. I believe I have this right now from years of Jiu Jitsu and I am confident that rest and physical therapy will eventually work

[@gamaltaher9714]

Good, thanks

[@fatmahassoubah7508]

يعطيك العافيه جدا واضح

[@powerofyogi1782]

Thankyou so muchhh sir

[@angamsulimani8305]

thank u very much ♥️

[@madcaplaughs94]

you are awesome best regards from turkey💕