Neck and Arm Pain (Radicular Pain)
What is it?
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The cervical (neck) nerves travel from the neck and into the arms, hands and fingers.
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These nerves branch out and allow us to use the muscles in our arms and allow us to feel sensations on our skin.
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When these nerves become irritated it can cause symptoms both in the neck and down the arm.
Typical Symptoms/features:
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Pain in the neck and often radiating down the arm/s and into the fingers.
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This may also include weakness, pins and needles or numbness in the arm/s and fingers.
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Pain on neck movements, often worse on turning your head and tilting your head towards the side of pain.
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Symptoms may come and go or be constant.
Management:
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Activity modification
- When you first start noticing pain, it may help to reduce your activity for a short amount of time to allow the pain to settle.
- However, there is strong evidence that says keeping active and slowly returning to your normal levels of activity can actually help the pain to settle quicker.
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Ice or heat.
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Pain relief.
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Physiotherapy including range of movement exercises and a graded strengthening programme.
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Orthopaedic options - In more severe and/or prolonged cases, orthopaedic opinion may be indicated to help with arm symptoms.
Do I need imaging?
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Imaging (X-rays or scans) is not routinely required to diagnose neck/arm radicular pain.
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However, MRI may be appropriate if symptoms do not improve with conservative measures and more invasive measures are being considered.
