Cervical radiculitis refers to the inflammation or irritation of one or more nerve roots that emerge from the spinal cord at the level of the cervical spine, before forming the peripheral nerves that supply the shoulder, arm, and hand.
It is most commonly caused by mechanical compression of a nerve root, which may result from a cervical disc herniation, the formation of osteophytes due to cervical spondylosis, narrowing of the intervertebral foramen, or, less frequently, inflammatory or infectious disorders.
Compression or irritation of the affected nerve root produces characteristic pain that originates in the neck and radiates toward the shoulder, upper arm, and sometimes the hand, following a specific distribution depending on the involved nerve root (radicular pain pattern).
It is often accompanied by sensations of tingling, numbness, or weakness in specific muscle groups of the upper limb, depending on the nerve function controlled by the affected root.
Diagnosis is based on clinical examination, with emphasis on identifying the distribution of pain and any neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to confirm the location and cause of nerve root compression.
Treatment is usually conservative and includes medication for pain and inflammation, physical therapy, and, in selected cases, epidural corticosteroid injections. Surgical intervention is reserved for patients with persistent symptoms, progressive neurological deficits, or significant nerve compression requiring decompression.