Spine Nerve Compression Treatment Pune

Get expert spinal nerve compression treatment in Pune with spine surgeons providing advanced decompression surgery and rehabilitation for pain-free movement.

Book an Appointment

Overview

Cervical radiculopathy is a medical condition that happens when a nerve in your neck gets squeezed or irritated.

Your neck, or cervical spine, is made up of seven small bones called vertebrae. These bones protect your spinal cord, which is like the main highway for messages between your brain and body. Nerves branch out from this spinal cord through small openings between the vertebrae. When these openings become narrow or when surrounding tissues press on the nerves, spinal nerve compression occurs.

The good news is that many people with cervical radiculopathy get better with simple treatments, and some cases even improve on their own over time. However, getting the right diagnosis and treatment early is important to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Symptoms

The main sign of cervical radiculopathy is pain that starts in your neck and travels down into your shoulder, arm, or hand. This happens because the compressed nerve carries signals to these areas. The pain often feels sharp, burning, or like an electric shock – this type of discomfort is called neuropathic pain.

Besides pain, spinal nerve compression symptoms can include:

Tingling sensations – often described as “pins and needles”
Numbness – feeling like parts of your arm or hand have “fallen asleep”
Muscle weakness in your arm, shoulder, or hand that can make daily tasks difficult
Worsening symptoms when you move your neck in certain ways, like looking up or turning your head
Temporary relief when you put your hands on top of your head, which can reduce pressure on the nerve

It’s important to know that symptoms can vary depending on which specific nerve is affected. For example, if the nerve that controls your shoulder is compressed, you might have shoulder weakness. If it’s the nerve that controls your middle finger, you might have problems with grip strength.

Causes

Spinal nerve compression causes in the neck typically happen when there’s pressure or irritation on a nerve root. This usually occurs where nerves travel through tight spaces with little protection, such as where they exit the spine.

The most common reasons include:

Age-Related Changes – As we get older, the cushions between our spine bones (called discs) naturally wear down. These discs can become dry, stiff, or bulge out, making the spaces where nerves exit become smaller. This process is often called arthritis or spondylosis.
Bone Spurs – When discs wear down, your body might try to compensate by growing extra bone, forming bone spurs. These bony growths can press against nearby nerves, causing compression.
Herniated Disc – In younger people, cervical radiculopathy often happens due to a sudden injury that causes a herniated disc. This occurs when the soft, jelly-like center of a spinal disc pushes through its tougher outer layer, potentially pressing on a nerve. Activities like lifting heavy objects, pulling, bending, or twisting can contribute to this problem.
Injury or Trauma – Direct injuries to the neck from falls, car accidents, or sports can move tissues out of place or cause swelling that puts pressure on nerves.
Inflammation – Excessive swelling from various conditions can also squeeze nerves and lead to spinal cord nerve compression.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your chances of developing a pinched nerve in your neck:

Age over 50 – Natural wear and tear on the spine increases with age
Being overweight – Extra body weight puts additional pressure on all nerves, including those in the spine
Repetitive motions – Jobs or activities involving repeated hand, wrist, or shoulder movements can cause inflammation
Pregnancy – Weight gain and fluid retention can increase pressure on nerves
Certain medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or diabetes
Extended bed rest – Long periods of inactivity can increase compression risk
Smoking – Can contribute to spinal degeneration and worsen nerve problems

Diagnosis

To diagnose cervical radiculopathy, doctors use several approaches to pinpoint the source of nerve compression:

Medical History and Physical Exam – Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, when they started, and what makes them better or worse. They’ll examine your neck, shoulders, arms, and hands to check for muscle weakness, changes in sensation, and reflexes. You might be asked to perform specific movements to see if they recreate or relieve your symptoms.

Imaging Tests

X-rays – Show bone alignment and can reveal narrowed nerve exits or disc damage
CT Scans – Provide detailed images that can show bone spurs or other bony changes
MRI Scans – Excellent for viewing soft tissues like muscles, nerves, and discs; can reveal if nerve compression is due to a bulging disc or other soft tissue problems

Nerve Function Tests

Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies measure electrical activity in muscles and how well nerves function. These tests help distinguish cervical radiculopathy from other conditions that might cause similar symptoms.

Treatment

Most people with cervical radiculopathy improve over time without aggressive treatment. Spinal nerve compression treatment typically starts with non-surgical approaches focused on managing symptoms and promoting healing.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options:

Rest and Activity Changes – The first step often involves avoiding activities and neck movements that make symptoms worse.

Soft Cervical Collar A padded neck collar can support your neck, limit movement, and allow muscles to rest, which may reduce nerve pressure. However, long-term use should be avoided to prevent neck muscle weakening.

Medications

Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce pain and swelling around the nerve
Oral steroids may be prescribed for short periods to powerfully reduce inflammation
Pain medications are reserved for severe pain and used for limited time periods

Steroid Injections – Corticosteroids can be injected near the affected nerve to reduce local inflammation and pain. While they don’t fix the structural problem, they can provide enough relief for the nerve to heal.

Physical Therapy – Specific exercises and techniques can help relieve pain, strengthen neck muscles, and improve range of motion. This may include gentle neck stretching to reduce pressure on nerve roots.

Surgical Treatment – If non-surgical treatments don’t help after a reasonable time, or if there’s significant nerve compression causing worsening problems like progressive weakness or numbness, surgery might be considered. Surgery aims to create more space for the nerve by removing disc material or bone that’s causing pressure.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in recovery from cervical radiculopathy. The goal is to reduce pain, restore normal function, improve movement, and strengthen the muscles that support your neck and spine.

Physical Therapy Components:

Neck exercises to improve mobility and flexibility
Strength training to build neck muscle support without causing pain
Stretching routines to improve flexibility and reduce nerve pressure
Gentle traction to stretch neck joints and muscles

Postural Correction – Learning proper posture while sitting, standing, and sleeping is essential to reduce stress on your cervical spine. Using a special cervical pillow at night can help keep your neck properly supported.

Activity Modification – Understanding which movements worsen your symptoms and gradually reintroducing activities as you improve is important for long-term success.

Complications

While many cases of cervical radiculopathy resolve without serious problems, untreated or delayed treatment can lead to several complications:

Chronic pain that significantly impacts quality of life
Worsening symptoms that become more severe and widespread
Muscle weakness and wasting in the affected arm, shoulder, or hand
Permanent nerve damage if pressure continues too long
Loss of sensation or permanent numbness in affected areas
Movement and coordination problems
Bladder or bowel changes in rare, severe cases
Disability requiring assistive devices in extreme cases

Getting prompt medical evaluation and treatment is essential to prevent these complications and improve your chances of full recovery.

Prevention

While you can’t prevent all cases of cervical radiculopathy, especially those caused by aging or sudden trauma, several strategies can significantly lower your risk:

Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on your spine
Practice good posture throughout the day
Exercise regularly to keep muscles strong and flexible
Take breaks from repetitive activities
Use proper lifting techniques – lift with your legs, not your back
Avoid staying in one position for extended periods
Quit smoking as it contributes to spinal disc degeneration

Living With Cervical Radiculopathy

Living with cervical radiculopathy can be challenging due to pain, numbness, and weakness. However, with proper management, most people find relief and return to normal activities.

Key Management Strategies:

Follow treatment plans consistently, including medications and exercises
Adjust your posture with help from healthcare providers
Listen to your body and avoid movements that cause pain
Manage pain with prescribed medications and ice/heat therapy
Be patient with recovery, as it varies from person to person
Know when to seek help – contact your doctor if symptoms don’t improve after a week or if you experience sudden weakness or inability to move normally

Key Takeaways

Cervical radiculopathy, commonly known as a pinched nerve in the neck, occurs when nerve roots in the cervical spine become compressed or irritated, leading to spinal nerve compression symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness that typically radiate down the arm. The main spinal nerve compression causes include age-related degenerative changes like arthritis and bone spurs, or herniated discs often resulting from injury. Most cases respond well to non-surgical spinal nerve compression treatment approaches including rest, medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications, though surgery may be necessary in severe cases that don’t respond to conservative care. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications such as chronic pain, permanent nerve damage, or disability.

At Sancheti Hospital, our specialized Spine & Neurosciences department offers comprehensive care for patients with cervical radiculopathy and other spine-related conditions. Our experienced team provides advanced diagnostic services, non-surgical treatments, and when necessary, minimally invasive surgical procedures to help patients achieve optimal recovery. Through our dedicated Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation services, we ensure patients receive the support they need throughout their healing journey, helping them return to their daily activities with improved function and reduced pain.

Meet Our Total Knee Replacement Specialists

No doctors found.

Patient Stories & Experiences

The pain in my left knee left me feeling helpless for years. After my treatment here, I can finally say I'm pain-free.

Vinita Singh

The nerves were swollen, and the body went numb. But thanks to Sancheti Hospital, I got a second life!

Parvati

I finally could walk again, a relief I've only felt after the hip pain surgery. I thank the doctors at Sancheti Hospital for their help.

Balaji Kharat

I'm a police officer, and I'm extremely thankful to Sancheti Hospital for treating my fracture without surgery.

Shantilal

My life has completely changed after the knee replacement surgery at Sancheti Hospital. It's like I can finally live again!

Kalpana Lepcha

The knee pain I've carried for years finally went away with the help of Sancheti Hospital.

Karuna

I can't believe that I get to finally live a normal and happy life, all thanks to the knee surgery I had at Sancheti Hospital.

Kishore Bhosle

‹

›

View All

Other Conditions

Spinal Cord Compression

Spinal Instability

Spinal Deformities

Cauda Equina Syndrome

Degenerative Disc Disease

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cervical radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy is a condition caused by a pinched nerve in your neck. It happens when a nerve root branching from the spinal cord in your neck gets compressed or irritated, causing symptoms that can spread to your arm, hand, or shoulder.

What causes a pinched nerve in the neck?

The most common causes are age-related spine changes like arthritis or bone spurs, and herniated discs from injuries. Less common causes include spinal infections or tumors.

Can cervical radiculopathy heal by itself?

Yes, many cases improve over time without specific medical treatment. However, if symptoms continue or get worse, medical evaluation and treatment are recommended.

How is cervical radiculopathy diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves reviewing your medical history, a physical exam checking for weakness, numbness, or reflex changes, and may include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans. Nerve function tests may also be used.

What happens if cervical radiculopathy isn't treated?

Untreated cervical radiculopathy can lead to persistent pain, increased muscle weakness, muscle wasting, and potentially permanent nerve damage or disability in severe cases.

Is sciatica the same as cervical radiculopathy?

No, they’re different types of nerve compression. Sciatica involves pinched nerves in the lower back causing leg pain, while cervical radiculopathy involves pinched nerves in the neck causing arm, shoulder, or hand symptoms.

Spinal Nerve Compression