Spine

Cervical radiculopathy

Mechanism: Irritation of a cervical nerve root, in older people usually from narrowing of the intervertebral foramen by facet and uncovertebral osteoarthritis, in younger people more often from a disc herniation.
Recognition: Radiating pain in a dermatomal pattern, possibly with weakness and a reduced reflex. Wainner's cluster combines four findings; three of four makes the picture likely, all four strongly likely.
Course: The natural course is favourable: most improve within a few months without intervention. Persisting or increasing weakness is the reason to refer.

Structures