Any condition that in some way presses or aggravates a cervical nerve root can cause cervical radiculopathy. It most generally results from degenerative adjustments to the cervical spinal column over a longer period of time, however, it can additionally occur as a result of an intense injury or sickness.

The two most usual reasons for cervical radiculopathy include:

Cervical foraminal stenosis

When a foramen (bony opening where a nerve origin departures the back canal) narrows and diminishes, the nerve root has less space and may come to impinge. Degenerative modifications related to cervical osteoarthritis and/or cervical degenerative disc illness may result in neighboring bone stimulates (osteophytes), thickening ligaments, or a protruding disc that pushes against the nerve origin in the foramen. Cervical foraminal stenosis is one of the most typical root causes of cervical radiculopathy.

See Cervical Foraminal Stenosis

Cervical herniated disc

If the internal material of the cervical disc leaks out and inflames or impinges the adjacent nerve, it can cause cervical radiculopathy. A herniated disc is most likely to happen from an injury or laborious activity, which may explain why it is the most common root cause of cervical radiculopathy in younger individuals (20s or 30s).

Other Causes of Cervical Radiculopathy

While much less common, other potential causes of cervical radiculopathy include:

Fracture

If part of a vertebra becomes fractured, the resulting instability or foraminal constricting in the cervical spinal column might impinge a nerve root. Such a fracture could be brought on by an injury or cervical spondylolisthesis (where one vertebra insinuates front of one more).

Tumor

A lump, whether malignant or benign, may expand nearby as well as a press against a nerve origin.

See Symptoms of a Spinal Tumor

Infection Numerous spine infections as well as– much less commonly– systemic infections can lead to inflammation and/or damages to a nerve root.

See Osteomyelitis, a Back Infection.

Sarcoidosis

An unusual condition that can trigger granulomas (swellings) to grow on any type of body organ in the body.

Various other problems might likewise compress or cause damages to cervical nerve origin. It is likewise possible for a congenital anomaly to cause a tightened foramen or various other modifications that boost the possibility of cervical radiculopathy to create.

Risk Factors for Cervical Radiculopathy

Some factors that might raise the danger of establishing cervical radiculopathy consist of:

Age

The threat of cervical radiculopathy often tends to boost with age. Some quotes state that this danger peaks in an individual’s 40s or 50s.

Difficult tasks that are capable of putting high degrees of stress on the cervical spinal column, such as battling or weight-lifting.

Repetitive neck movements or resonances, such as driving a truck (vibrating tools) or repetitively diving headfirst from a diving board right into a swimming pool.