Acute nerve root pain

 

What is it?

Acute nerve pain occurs when a nerve coming from the spinal cord is compressed by a structure in the neck.

 

What are the causes?

The compression usually occurs through irritation of a cervical disc (there are vertebral discs between each vertebral segment) or compromise of the intervertebral foramen (a small hole between each vertebral level where nerves exit the spinal cord) due to the presence of osteophytes (bony outgrowths) or inflammation of nearby structures.

 

Where are the symptoms?

There’s a sudden onset of pain usually in the arm but sometimes in the neck itself. Along with the pain there can be pins and needles, numbness or loss of strength/movement in the arm.

 

How is the diagnosis made?

The doctor will listen to a description of the symptoms and will then examine the affected area. Sometimes an X-ray, CT scan or MRI will be required to make or confirm the diagnosis.

 

What is the treatment?

Initially this may involve activity change and physiotherapy complemented by pain reducing anti-inflammatories. When the pain has subsided your doctor can provide you with a range of stretching and strengthening exercises designed to restore full movement and reduce the likelihood of the problem recurring.