Neck and arm pain
Cervical radiculopathy
Pressure on a nerve in the neck from a disc or bone spur can cause arm pain, numbness and weakness. If symptoms do not improve, or there are signs of nerve damage, surgery promptly relieves the pressure and stabilises the spine.
Results
205 operations for cervical radiculopathy, 2018 to 2024
Data to December 2024
- Improved 82%
- No change 16%
- Worse 2%
- Improved 95%
- No change 3%
- Worse 2%
Treatment
Most cases of cervical radiculopathy settle over several weeks with time and rehabilitation, supported where needed by pain management and image-guided nerve root injections. Surgery is recommended when arm pain persists despite these measures and without delay when there are signs of nerve damage such as weakness or numbness. Through a small incision at the front of the neck, the disc and bone spurs pressing on the nerve are removed and the disc is replaced with a titanium spacer. Recovery continues with a tailored rehabilitation programme at BackSpace.
Technology used
The Loop-X robotic scanner confirms the correct level before the operation begins. The Synaptive Modus X robotic exoscope then gives a magnified 3D view of the nerve on a large screen, and the Sonopet ultrasonic bone scalpel removes the bone spurs safely.