Cervical radiculopathy signs and symptoms typically include pins-and-needles tingling, numbness, and/or weakness in the areas served by the affected nerve root. In addition to these neurological deficits, pain is also present in most cases. These signs and symptoms may be felt in one area only, such as the shoulder, or progress along the entire arm and into the hand and fingers.

Cervical radiculopathy signs and symptoms are most commonly on just one side of the body, but they can be on both sides. If neurological deficits become severe or go into the hand, they can reduce the ability to perform many routine tasks, such as gripping or lifting objects, writing, typing, or getting dressed.

Neurological Deficits in Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy involves one or more of the following neurological deficits that may be experienced in the neck, shoulder, arm, hand, and/or fingers:

• Sensory. Feelings of numbness or reduced sensation in the skin. There may also be tingling, electrical sensations.
• Motor. Weakness or reduced coordination in one or more muscles.
• Reflex. Changes in the body’s involuntary (automatic) reflex responses. Some examples may include diminished ability to respond when the skin touches hot or cold, or possibly a reduced triceps or biceps reflex when the elbow is tapped by a rubber hammer during an exam.

Cervical nerve roots are comprised of both motor and sensory fibers. Whether cervical radiculopathy signs involve diminished motor movement or sensation (or both) depends on which fibers are damaged by the radiculopathy.